Natural slate experts SSQ are marking 30 years of collaboration with world-renowned Spanish slate quarry Del Carmen. It was in 1992 that SSQ founder Ahmed El-Helw first met with Del Carmen’s owners in his search for the finest quality slate Spain had to offer. It wasn’t long before he realised
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
Cranbourne Stone, specialists in providing bespoke and high-quality natural stone and porcelain products for swimming pools and landscape designs, is pleased to announce the release of its new 2021 product brochure, entitled The Collection. 21. The latest edition includes their bestselling natural stone and porcelain as well as new additions
Natural slate experts SSQ are marking 30 years of collaboration with world-renowned Spanish slate quarry Del Carmen. It was in 1992 that SSQ founder Ahmed El-Helw first met with Del Carmen’s owners in his search for the finest quality slate Spain had to offer. It wasn’t long before he realised he’d found what he’d been looking for. When it came to its aesthetics, durability and all-round performance, the slate produced by Del Carmen was among the best he’d ever seen, as Ahmed explains. “As quarries go, Del Carmen had it all – uncompromising quality standards, decades of expertise, and the most stunning blue-black slate with the longevity to last up to a century. “However, it wasn’t as simple as placing an order. Like any quarry, Del Carmen only had a limited amount of material they could supply, and any slate they gave to me was slate they couldn’t supply elsewhere. “I had to convince them to put their faith in me – a young businessman operating in a country they’d never supplied to before. But I’m delighted to say they did. “We trusted and respected each other from the very beginning – so much so that, when our agreement was finally made, it was with a handshake. Thirty years on, we’ve still never signed a formal contract.” In the decades since that first meeting in Spain, SSQ has used outstanding Del Carmen slate to roof thousands of buildings all around the world, with the material often handpicked by architects for its distinctive, faintly-rippled texture, deep blue-black colour and longitudinal grain. “I’ll always be hugely grateful to Del Carmen’s owners for all their support and friendship,” Ahmed continues. “Without them, SSQ wouldn’t be the business it is today. “Later in 2022, we’re hoping to travel out to Spain to celebrate properly with our friends at Del Carmen, and look forward to the next thirty years of cooperation.”www.ssqgroup.com/
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.
Cranbourne Stone, specialists in providing bespoke and high-quality natural stone and porcelain products for swimming pools and landscape designs, is pleased to announce the release of its new 2021 product brochure, entitled The Collection. 21. The latest edition includes their bestselling natural stone and porcelain as well as new additions which are tipped to be popular design choices this year. As the largest stockist of pool copings and matching paving in the UK, The Collection.21 is packed full of products including natural stone like limestone and marble, as well as Cranbourne Stone’s range of porcelain tiles and deck level grilles. New for 2021 is the stunning Trevose Black Granite. Its dramatic dark colour and flamed finish make it the ideal stone for modern swimming pool surrounds and terraces, and is already garnering attention from those looking for a contemporary finish. A Porcelain Mosaic range has also been introduced for the first time in Cranbourne Stone’s 17-year history. Available in nine stunning colours and two sizes, it is the perfect tile choice for swimming pools. The latest range can be paired with Cranbourne Stone’s large format tiles to create sumptuous style for your pool. “We are thrilled to present The Collection.21 product catalogue to our customers,” said Jo Standfield, Cranbourne Stone’s Sales Director. “It brings together our whole range of products, including the favourites that continue to be popular year on year. We have also replaced some natural stone with brand new updates like Trevose Black Granite. This beautiful rich-coloured stone replaces Chattis Black Basalt granite and is a perfect choice for contemporary designs. “What I am really excited to introduce is the new Porcelain Mosaic range. They match our Elegance range of large format porcelain tiles and are the ideal choice for those looking for chic styling. By using the mosaic tiles as a pool lining and the large tiles for the swimming pool surround it creates a beautiful seamless finish. “With over 100 pages bursting with luxurious stone and tile choices, this new brochure is a must-have for those looking to create beautiful swimming pool and landscape designs in 2021.” The Collection.21 includes natural stone and porcelain and wood porcelain tile ranges, which will satisfy all tastes and styles. Also featured are Deck Level Grilles from Stonetech and a range using Lapitec® sintered stone, which Cranbourne Stone is an approved fabricator of. As the UK’s exclusive distributor for Stonetech Pools’ products, Cranbourne Stone imports the unique Grilles from Greece and stocks the product at their Hampshire facility ready to be delivered quickly for pool projects. Concluding The Collection.21 is a section of detailed information including Cranbourne Stone’s extensive service which includes bespoke masonry, site template and survey options to help pool builders, architects and landscapers successfully design their project. To download The Collection.21 visit www.cranbournestone.co.uk
