The past year has seen us all spend a lot more time in the kitchen, but how does the design of our kitchens reflect who we are?Quintain Living – the award-winning rental management company with thousands of homes at Wembley Park – has plenty of experience when it comes to
The GGF has reacted to the news of the Government extension of the transition period for the end of recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain has been extended until 1st January 2023. MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) on Tuesday 24th August updated its Guidance providing practical information
Visitors going to the Nationwide Windows & Doors stand F33 at Housing 2021 will see the very latest improvements to make windows and doors smart. Fingerprint is Nationwide’s app to provide lifetime traceability of certification, components and installation through QR codes. It provides full product traceability from manufacture and installation
Windows and doors by Kawneer feature on apartments at Greenwich Square. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified for a primarily residential building at the heart of the redevelopment of London’s Greenwich Square for their aesthetic, acoustic, thermal, fire-resistant and sustainability credentials. Kawneer’s AA®543 open-in windows and
After the massive strikes throughout plumbing companies across the UK earlier this year, many homeowners have been left wondering how to handle emergency boiler servicing if it happens again. Bluewater Plumbing, a North London based plumbing and heating company, has a secure and effective solution for these situations. Introduced earlier
Omega PLC is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Batchelor as Head of Major Projects from 16th August 2021. Paul brings to Omega over 10 years of kitchen industry and main contractor experience in the contracts sector having worked with Moores Furniture Group, Lendlease and LOCOG who prepared the
There are several government proposals on the table signalling a transition from where we are today to net zero 2050. Technical solutions have not been decided, but there is talk of certain technologies favoured for carbon reduction – among these are hydrogen-ready boilers and heat pumps. In the short term,
With a large variety of models designed to fit any building’s needs, the XS4 One electronic escutcheon fits virtually any door, including wooden and PVC doors as well as those with narrow metal frames. Until now, the Dark Bronze finish was only available for the XS4 ANSI models but this
Bespoke brick slip feature arch lintels from IG Lintels form a distinctive element of a sympathetic and prestigious addition to an Edwardian council estate in the London Borough of Camden. Built between 1901 and 1903, the Grade II-listed Bourne Estate is on the fringes of the Hatton Garden Conservation Area
When it came to providing a range of bespoke brick slip products to achieve intricate brick features throughout the façade on the buildings in the first phase of the Water Yards masterplan at Canada Water, IG Masonry Support was well-poised to deliver the goods. Porters Edge, Canada Water is a
The past year has seen us all spend a lot more time in the kitchen, but how does the design of our kitchens reflect who we are?Quintain Living – the award-winning rental management company with thousands of homes at Wembley Park – has plenty of experience when it comes to designing kitchens to suit all sorts of chefs. From the design and layout to the individual appliances that are included, the kitchen design in each building tells the story of that particular property. “The kitchen is the heart of the home and the right kitchen design can be a powerful contributor to that. We are delighted that each of our buildings at Wembley Park provides its own individual kitchen style, which is a key element of each apartment’s appeal for many of our residents.” Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Take Canada Gardens, designed and managed by Quintain Living, for example. A building designed around family living, with lush green gardens, a children’s playpark and playroom, a clubhouse and allotments, its kitchens have been designed with family cooks firmly in mind. The British country vibe is given an urban twist, with modern composite stone tops offset by shaker door fronts and antique brass ‘D’ handles. Some apartments feature open wall units, so that kitchen items can be displayed for visual interest, while the exclusive penthouses feature copper finish extractor hoods, pendant lights, marble style countertops, and large, American-style fridge freezers. Without question, these are kitchens for producing hearty family meals aplenty, with wine fridges to raid when the kids have gone to bed. The design of the kitchens in Ferrum, by way of contrast, speak to the more experimental chefs – those who take a more eclectic approach to the dishes they serve. Ferrum is the ideal home for those looking for a Brooklyn-style loft with a London lifestyle, from its state-of-the-art gym to its superb rooftop social spaces. Its kitchens mirror the building’s warehouse-feel, with industrial details in the wall shelves provided for microwaves, solid wood worktops for warmth and black finish handles and white tiles keeping the design contemporary. The shaker style door fronts are a nod to vintage design, while the mix of integrated and non-integrated appliances gives a loose, relaxed feel. Over in Quintain’s Landsby building, on the other hand, the modern Scandi design feels far more precise and orderly. One of the earlier designs of Quintain Living’s apartments, Landsby’s kitchens are all about sleek lines and clean, contemporary finishes. From the fully integrated appliances to the composite stone worktops, these are kitchens that provide a calming space for chefs to work with meticulous attention to detail – no recipe is too tricky to be tackled in a Landsby kitchen! Flat colour doors and drawer fronts in soft tones with a matte finish complete the look. Quintain Living’s latest launch, The Robinson, takes things in another direction. The homes are pitched to appeal to younger professionals, with kitchens designed accordingly – these are the ideal places for those just starting out on their culinary adventures and with the enthusiasm to match. There are six different kitchen colour palettes throughout the building, all of which feature bright, playful hues. “We had great fun with the design of the kitchens in The Robinson. These are kitchens made for trial and error – for simple pasta dishes, late-night nachos and the gradual refinement of blossoming culinary skills. The Robinson’s apartments feature exposed concrete in the ceiling and columns, so we used the bright kitchen colours and wood laminate worktops to warm up the look and feel. The resulting kitchens exude welcome and encouragement for budding young chefs.” Fossey Arora And then there are the kitchens at Beton. The entire building is awash with cool, confident design, from furniture co-designed with the likes of Ercol, Muuto and Hay to its ‘broken plan’ social spaces, cinema room and pool table. Situated at the heart of the action in Wembley Park, with shopping, dining and experiences all around, it is perhaps unsurprising that Beton’s kitchens are so well suited to stylish entertaining. Their design has a two-tone finish, with dark lower cabinets and wood finish wall units to bring warmth. They add to the vibrant apartment interiors, which are alive with bright pops of colour. The composite stone used for the worktops and splash backs has a graphic texture, which fits the building design beautifully, while the copper finish handles deliver the kitchen’s own burst of colour. Thanks to Quintain Living’s partnership with Samsung, all homes available since late 2017 have featured Samsung kitchen appliances. Other features, meanwhile, are decided on a property-by-property basis. In The Robinson, for example, the cookers are web-enabled, along with the washing machines and dryers, while the penthouses in Canada Gardens feature smart fridges.For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www.quintainliving.com, @quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927.
The GGF has reacted to the news of the Government extension of the transition period for the end of recognition of the CE mark in Great Britain has been extended until 1st January 2023. MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) on Tuesday 24th August updated its Guidance providing practical information for placing construction products on the GB market. The Government announcement stated; “Businesses must prepare for the end of recognition of the CE mark in GB and affix the UK marking using a UK-recognised ‘approved body’. Our intention is to end recognition of the CE mark by 1 January 2023. Current rules will remain in place until legislation is laid to end recognition of the CE mark. Businesses should comply with the new UK regime, as soon as possible. This includes use of the UK mark in GB. To allow businesses time to adjust, some CE marked goods, that meet EU requirements, may continue to be placed on the GB market. However, we intend for this arrangement to end on 1 January 2023, and businesses should ensure they are prepared for the new system before it comes into effect after we have laid legislation.” On hearing the confirmation, David Borland, GGF Senior Technical Officer commented: “Though we anticipated there would be an extension, we are relieved that the extension period has been confirmed, giving companies an additional twelve months to comply with UKCA marking.” Over the last two years, the GGF has been in discussions with MHCLG (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) on the issues (testing and certification) around the continuous implementation of the Construction Products Regulation and CE marking post–Brexit. The concerns raised by the GGF still remain and the Federation is constantly pushing for a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) that would be accepted by the EU27 before the legislation expires at the end of next 2022. David Borland continued, “The EU has refused to recognise test evidence for AVCP3s (Assessment and Verification of Constancy of Performance 3) since 1st January 2021 if supplied by a UK testing body. This will still mean additional testing costs for UK businesses notwithstanding the possible backlog of products to be tested. So whilst we are relieved for the extension, we remain cautious about the future of testing and certification for UK products. On behalf of our Members, we will continue dialogue with Government and hope for a smooth transition to UKCA marking.”
Visitors going to the Nationwide Windows & Doors stand F33 at Housing 2021 will see the very latest improvements to make windows and doors smart. Fingerprint is Nationwide’s app to provide lifetime traceability of certification, components and installation through QR codes. It provides full product traceability from manufacture and installation and continues throughout its lifecycle. Alongside Fingerprint, Nationwide is showing Kubu for perimeter security and Ultion for state-of-the-art locking. “These latest innovations make windows and doors smart,” says Kevin Caveney, Director of Commercial Sales at Nationwide Windows & Doors. “Fingerprint will revolutionise the management of maintenance and service calls. An installed product’s history can be accessed by scanning a permanent QR code to instantly show proof of certification and product specification such as hardware or glazing details. Critical maintenance data is available for housing stock, offering opportunities to significantly reduce management time. “As part of our commitment to improving communities, housing and homes, we have a prize draw for visitors downloading the Fingerprint app before or during the show, with a donation of £1,000 to the winners chosen charity or community scheme.” Visitors to stand F33 will be able to use all the latest smart technology for themselves and enjoy a FREE coffee. To find out more visit www.nwd.co.uk
Windows and doors by Kawneer feature on apartments at Greenwich Square. Architectural glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer were specified for a primarily residential building at the heart of the redevelopment of London’s Greenwich Square for their aesthetic, acoustic, thermal, fire-resistant and sustainability credentials. Kawneer’s AA®543 open-in windows and AA®540 fixed lights feature in the stairwells of Block 3 – a seven-storey, garden-courtyard block of 325 apartments for Mace Developments that was masterplanned by Make Architects and delivered by KDS Associates. In addition, Kawneer’s AA®543 windows, AA®540 series of fixed lights and AA®545 doors are coupled together on all elevations and complemented by the thermally superior AA®720 doors and fixed lights on the ground floor entrances. Work on the £80 million building by main contractor Mace took almost three years and delivers a 6,895m2 mix of studio and one- to three-bedroomed units, 292m2 of commercial space, and basement parking for 195 cars and 600 bicycles. Part of Phase 3 of the £250 million regeneration of a three-hectare brownfield site, Block 3’s build of concrete frame also utilised off-site methods, with prefabricated bathroom and utility pods. Nikhil Raj, Associate Director with KDS Associates, explained that Make Architects had been responsible for the whole masterplan of the site which included Block 3 that was developed to Stage 3 level. He said: “The original scheme was not commercially viable, therefore Mace development appointed KDS to rationalise and optimise the Make Architects’ original scheme. KDS assisted Make Architects in submitting an NMA by adding another storey and an additional 42 units to the existing scheme. Upon receiving a successful approval on NMA, KDS were appointed by Mace Developments to deliver Block 3. “We needed a slimline and robust look, along with the benefit of better acoustic and thermal performance. Aluminium also played an important part as we wanted to earn some additional BREEAM points.” He added: “I have worked with Kawneer products before, so it was no surprise that they delivered on their promise again.” Greenwich Square was a stalled development on Government brownfield land for more than 10 years before Mace, as principal equity investor, worked through the complex issues with a special purpose joint venture company, to finally unlock the site. The team brought together the numerous stakeholders involved to channel energy around a common purpose – to create a new community for east Greenwich that delivered 50% high-quality affordable housing as a key focus. The vibrant new destination comprises 686 new mixed-tenure homes and a community hub with facilities including a leisure centre, library, health centre, adult education college and shops, all planned around an attractive town square. One of the first schemes in the UK to make use of the “Buy now, pay later” land initiatives, the creative social housing model included a pre-sale to L&Q of 314 of the residential units and a commercial transaction with the council for the funding and future management of the Greenwich Centre. Phase 1 comprised 361 apartments, maisonettes and town houses as well as the public square, GP surgery, leisure centre, public library and retail space, while Phase 2 added 325 studios and one- to three-bedroomed apartments (239 private and 86 affordable). Sustainability was integral to the design of Greenwich Square, from the design of the apartments and townhouses to the facilities provided for residents. All the homes are designed to Code Level 4 Fabric First for sustainable new homes as well as meeting the Building for Life Silver Standard and CEEQUAL “Very good” for landscaping and public realm works. Nikhil said: “The key requirement was amendment to Approved Document B. This was not officially published at the time of registering with Building Control, therefore a lot of design changes were anticipated to future proof the building. The project that is delivered is robust and fully compliant in line with the latest amendments to Approved Document B.” Richard Blakeway, Deputy Mayor for housing, land and property for the Greater London Authority, said: “Greenwich square is a great example of GLA brownfield land being used to build much-needed housing of an excellent quality with fantastic public facilities to boost the local community.” Greenwich Square won the gold award for best mixed-use development at the What House? Awards in 2015.
After the massive strikes throughout plumbing companies across the UK earlier this year, many homeowners have been left wondering how to handle emergency boiler servicing if it happens again. Bluewater Plumbing, a North London based plumbing and heating company, has a secure and effective solution for these situations. Introduced earlier this year, Bluewater Plumbing’s ‘Comfort Club’ is designed for savvy homeowners who prefer to identify and prevent potential issues before they become a problem rather than fix emergencies when a crisis suddenly arises. Compared with ordering each emergency repair individually when the need arises, a subscription to the ‘Comfort Club’ programme gives clients more convenient, ongoing assistance, as well as offering more cost-conscious clients greater certainty about the fees involved. By subscribing, clients get considerable time and money savings. Offering services from all major boiler companies, ‘Comfort Club’ is an annual subscription which makes keeping your boiler and heating systems in check a breeze. ‘Comfort Club’ plans include: annual boiler service with service parts flue gas analysis central heating magnetic filter clean central heating chemical inhibitor gas pressure test repairing the boiler & broken parts heating controls radiators & radiator valves gas and heating pipework Bluewater Plumbing clients also benefit from fast-tracked emergency servicing, as well as special offers for new boiler installations if the old one is beyond repair.
Omega PLC is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Batchelor as Head of Major Projects from 16th August 2021. Paul brings to Omega over 10 years of kitchen industry and main contractor experience in the contracts sector having worked with Moores Furniture Group, Lendlease and LOCOG who prepared the Olympic Stadium for London 2012. In his new role at Omega Paul will lead the effective delivery of major projects across the UK, ensuring a first-class service to Omega’s customer base. As well as strengthening the team, Omega invested to double its stock holding and increase its warehouse and production capacity to support its ambitious growth plans. Paul said of his appointment; ‘I am delighted to be joining Omega at this exciting time and (I) am looking forward to working with the team and our clients to deliver Major Projects in accordance with Omega’s industry leading standards of safety and service.’ Katy Snow, National Head of Contract Operations at Omega said of Paul’s appointment; ‘We’re excited to welcome Paul to the Omega family at such an important time for the company. I’m certain his experience in the contracts industry will deliver our plans to increase major projects for 2021 and into the future.’
There are several government proposals on the table signalling a transition from where we are today to net zero 2050. Technical solutions have not been decided, but there is talk of certain technologies favoured for carbon reduction – among these are hydrogen-ready boilers and heat pumps. In the short term, it is likely we will see carbon free gases such as hydrogen and bio methane introduced into the current gas grid, neither of which would require home appliances to be replaced. However, should the hydrogen blend exceed 20%, which it eventually will, a hydrogen-ready boiler would need to be installed. 100% hydrogen blend may not be possible for another 10 to 15 years, so in the interim it is likely that government policy will legislate only hydrogen-ready boilers can be placed onto the market from as soon as 2025 – effectively future-proofing existing homes in the UK. Positively, hydrogen-ready boiler installations are simple and straight forward. They connect to the existing gas grid, look like any boiler we see today, the installation process is the same, and will run on natural gas until hydrogen becomes available. At this point, it takes an hour of an engineer’s time and two or three components before the boiler is ready to run on 100% hydrogen. I expect some social housing providers might wish to move forward with this before hydrogen comes online. Heat pumps are another solution to reducing carbon. They are not the easiest of technologies to install, as changes will generally need to be made to the heating and hot water system, as well as the very fabric of the property. While some are pioneering these technologies into existing homes, others may wait until government policy becomes firmer. There may be a middle ground where a gas boiler is supplemented by the installation of an air to water heat pump, a hybrid system which is very common in parts of Europe. We expect there to be various solutions, if not already there, available over time. The general trend of the country, in fact, the world, is to reduce carbon – this is one of the biggest challenges that anybody with housing stock faces. Martyn Bridges is Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch
With a large variety of models designed to fit any building’s needs, the XS4 One electronic escutcheon fits virtually any door, including wooden and PVC doors as well as those with narrow metal frames. Until now, the Dark Bronze finish was only available for the XS4 ANSI models but this attractive contemporary finish has now been extended to the XS4 One family as well. The new Dark Bronze option for the XS4 One product rangecompliments today’s design trends and blends perfectly with both white and dark doors, modern style and decoration. With a large variety of models, XS4 One electronic escutcheons are all totally wire-free and networked through SALTO Virtual Network (SVN) and BLUEnet Wireless network for access control in real-time and compatible with smart phone mobile access. They are simple and fast to install without having to replace or drill the door. High security protection is provided via high resistance, hardened anti-drill plates to protect the wiring and reader area. Hardened axes and floating steel balls provide additional protection in the handle area. The new Dark Bronze Finish option has also been added to the SALTO MyLock online configuration tool, allowing users to now visualize this stunning finish for the XS4 One, XS4 One DIN and XS4 One Deadlatch (DL) models on any type of door.
Bespoke brick slip feature arch lintels from IG Lintels form a distinctive element of a sympathetic and prestigious addition to an Edwardian council estate in the London Borough of Camden. Built between 1901 and 1903, the Grade II-listed Bourne Estate is on the fringes of the Hatton Garden Conservation Area and is a jewel in the crown for its owner Camden Council. Internationally significant and originally built by the London County Council, it became a model for influential public housing built in Vienna after the First World War. When it came to its redevelopment and the creation of two new blocks consisting of seventy-five mixed tenure homes, Matthew Lloyd Architects in partnership with Higgins Construction, had the architectural challenge of designing and building new housing that responded to the original Edwardian buildings. Central to the design of the additions is the fine brick detailing which needed to replicate the materials and characteristics of the original architecture. A number of double height brick arches were also created and form a central throughway into new communal courtyards seen elsewhere on the estate. In keeping with the architect’s aesthetic requirements, IG Lintels technical team designed 215mm high flat gauge brick slip feature lintels accommodating a series of brick spans; 910mm, 1360mm, 1472mm and 1585mm. All bricks were cut and bonded offsite onto the load bearing lintels. A consignment of bricks was collected from site to guarantee both quality and reliability in matching the surrounding brickwork. The ceramic bricks were carefully cut in a mitre fashion to conceal the red clay finish underneath and ensure that the ceramic finish on the mitre did not splinter which minimalised brick wastage. All the bricks cut were bonded in a rowlock pattern using BBA approved construction adhesive in a controlled environment without disruption from the natural weather. The patented perforated design of a IG Brick Feature Lintel allows the adhesive to squeeze through the perforations and form a ‘mushroom’ on the inside, providing a mechanical lock between the steel lintel and the bricks. Each prefabricated single piece unit was delivered in line with the build schedule onsite. This reduced health and safety concerns by eliminating the requirement for skilled labour working from height for a prolonged period of time in a busy London area. The contrasting brick types used on the project add to the new design creating pleasing views that clearly define key routes and boundaries. IG’s lintel solutions have ensured the high quality additions to the innovative Bourne Estate will strengthen the character of the conservation area through careful design and close attention to the articulation of the facades. The richness of detail in the brickwork and the quality in construction will ensure the estate will endure for more generations to come.
When it came to providing a range of bespoke brick slip products to achieve intricate brick features throughout the façade on the buildings in the first phase of the Water Yards masterplan at Canada Water, IG Masonry Support was well-poised to deliver the goods. Porters Edge, Canada Water is a mixed use, multi-phased dockside regeneration project in the London borough of Southwark, situated between London Bridge and Canary Wharf. The first phase of this ambitious masterplan included 234 apartments rising up 18 storeys, located in four residential cores surrounding a landscaped courtyard and a 100,000 sq. ft. Decathlon store with a basement car park. The intricate brick features and balconies with brick soffits required IG’s full catalogue of prefabricated components. IG collaborated with delivery architect Stockwool and main contractor Ardmore to design and manufacture bespoke brick slip systems that would achieve the architect’s vision. The Challenge Attractive brick details were a desirable aesthetic for this phase of the Water Yards masterplan. Each residential core of the development was unique. In total six different types of bricks were used throughout the development with a mix of three bricks specified by Stockwool for each elevation. Carefully considered brick combinations were produced to create beautiful brick soffits that are visible throughout the elevations, located above windows, openings and recesses as well as underneath the balconies. When it came to brickwork elements, the size and complexity of the brick soffits on the seventy balconies on the west and north-west elevations presented the contractor with the greatest challenge. IG’s technical team was tasked with designing bespoke brick slip balcony soffits to achieve this aesthetic feature. Additionally, Brick Slip Lintels and B.O.S.S. units were required to provide seamless brick soffits above the windows, openings and recess panels. The Solution Porters Edge was a standout programme for IG Masonry Support and required a great deal of innovation and adaptability. IG’s technical team designed and manufactured a bespoke solution to achieve the brick soffits on the balconies. This solution was the first that used an extended B.O.S.S system based on steel. IG also provided hangers, which were flexible enough for movement between the main structure of the balcony and its system. The brick slip soffit balcony system had to be signed off by both the NHBC and the contractor. To obtain approval IG had to provide many calculations on thermal expansion, to prove that the brick soffit panel would work with the cladding that surrounds the balcony. The challenge here was to illustrate that there would not be any cracking or loosening of the bricks as a result of the thermal and mechanical movement of the balcony. IG also had to undertake Finite Element Analysis (FEA), to demonstrate that the system was able to accommodate movement within the balcony during manufacturing, erection and usage. IG’s prefabricated brick slip balcony soffit solution enabled Ardmore to achieve the desired brick detail quickly and effectively. For health and safety reasons the soffits were designed to be installed to the balcony on the ground. Once assembled, the whole balcony was lifted into position and connected to the building. The complex brick detail achieved above the windows, openings and recesses throughout the development highlights the design versatility of IG’s offsite soffit solutions. Capable of accommodating any brick type or bond pattern, IG’s technical team created both Brick Slip Lintels and B.O.S.S. units for achieving the stretcher bond detail on a combination of 102.5 and 327.5 soffits. As with all of its projects IGMS went above and beyond, adapting its systems to the different sizes and mixture of bricks. Not only does this indicate the strength of its offsite solutions, it highlights the diligence and excellence of the IG team. As a further example of exceptional service, IG Masonry Support supplied drawings and method statements to help the brickwork contractor and engineers onsite. A landmark project in London’s emerging borough of Southwark, the presence of IG Masonry Support’s solutions will ensure the development’s sophisticated brickwork will look good for many years to come.
