"foundations retaining walls"

350 square meters of wall designed, manufactured and installed by Grass Concrete Limited. A large scale hospital redevelopment site with a few added complications saw a need to construct an earth retaining wall but with high level services to one elevation, a pinch point to another and then for good measure the need to include a footbridge.

Precast concrete Groundwall L-Shaped retaining wall panels, designed and manufactured by Whites Concrete (part of the Naylor Group) with a special rock face finish to blend in with existing surroundings have replaced an integral part of a cemetery wall structure in Wigan.

The local council was tasked with constructing a footpath within a restricted area allowing safer access to a busy health centre. It was important to maintain the natural green appearance. A retaining wall was required and had to be quick and easy to erect with minimal disruption. ABG Webwall was chosen as the solution. The Webwall was quickly constructed using 4m x 1m panels which were filled with soil from the excavation and cutting. The wall was replanted to restore an naturally green appearance. Webwall was built in a quick cost effective way to create an environmentally friendly retaining wall

The Client JJ Rhatigan approached us to explore WoodBlocX as an option for the retaining walls, working closely with them our designers finalised plans which included a series of 1m tall terraced walls each containing areas for planting along with a large bench at the base of each to create a series of ‘secret gardens’ nestled below ground level to create the perfect private space of each dwelling.

Channel 4’s ‘Grand Designs’ featured Helifix masonry repair techniques to retain a 300 year old dilapidated stone barn. Built with rubble-filled Cotswold Stone walls, some 600mm thick, the unstable barn needed to be consolidated and strengthened to protect it during construction of the new subterranean house. The walls were consolidated by using 140 grouted CemTies. The installation of 340m of Helibeam reinforcement then created ring-beams around the structure. Existing window and door openings were temporarily blocked to permit continuity of the HeliBars, which were later cut and embedded into the reveals.

The thirteenth century medieval stronghold Doune Castle, used as a filming location for Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, was subject to a maintenance programme designed to improve the path network surrounding the castle. Celtic Historic Environment Scotland wanted to introduce a new stepped ramp from the main entrance road up to the Doune village footpath.The new elevation of this ramp required ABG Webwall as a curved solution that minimises the footprint of the slope compared to a stone alternative and blends in with the woodland surroundings. Webwall also provided a less carbon intensive option to hard landscaping materials. 

ChallengeThe project, at Winston Court in North Walsham, is organised by Benjamin’s Building Company, part of The Benjamin Foundation. Benjamin’s Building Company is a social enterprise that works to create homes, training and employment opportunities for vulnerable people. The ambitious venture will see the development of four, self-contained accommodation units. Seeking help in this task, The Benjamin Foundation turned to CRASH for assistance in locating suppliers and materials.SolutionKnauf Insulation donated 24 rolls of 150mm Loft Roll insulation, 48 rolls of 140mm Rafter Roll 40 and 72 rolls of 110mm FrameTherm® 32 for the project. These glass mineral wool insulation products are extremely easy to handle and install, being lightweight and easily cut to size, benefiting the large project.BenefitsBy its nature, Loft Roll is non- combustible and classified as Euroclass A1 to BS EN ISO 13501-1, a crucial requirement to any public building. Additionally, Loft Roll insulation has been manufactured with ECOSE® Technology which delivers superior environmental performance, as the binder technology is up to 70 per cent less energy intensive than traditional binders. The technology has been developed for Knauf Insulation’s glass and rock mineral wool products, enhancing their environmental credentials without affecting the thermal, acoustic or fire performance. Insulation products made with ECOSE® Technology contain no dye or artificial colours – the colour is completely natural.

Concrete foundations of a wind energy plant: Due to the influences of the weather over the years, the following damages were noticed: •Cracks due to movement •Moisture into the structure •Spalling of the concrete •Corrosion of the reinforcement •Flaking paint The first step in the restoration of the foundation was pressure injecting the cracks - through which an elastic closure of the cracks was realized. The total surface was strengthened with a unique sillicate liquid. A waterproof sloped layer was installed; finally, the moving joint between the foundations and the steel tower of the wind energy plant was sealed elastically.

Newton contractor Rymill Property Developments were approached by the owner of an old vineyard in Hampshire, in order to redevelop the site, with Newton providing advice for waterproofing retaining basements on a sloping site for three brand new, modern properties in line with BS 8102:2022.

We were honoured to provide acoustic solutions for the new 8,500 sq ft London Headquarters of the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) in collaboration with Habit Action. MHF is the UK’s leading mental health charity, and the brief was to create a calm interior space, mindful of staff wellbeing and reflecting the charity’s values of collaboration and inclusivity.

Newton contractor Rymill Property Developments were approached by the owner of an old vineyard in Hampshire, in order to redevelop the site. As well as building an immaculate four-bedroom, four-bathroom Georgianhouse for the client, Rymill also took on the task of creating 3 brand new, modern properties, all with basements built into the existing sloping site. The large, partially retained basement areas would all house a stairwell, plantroom, storage room, cinema room, zen room, two ensuite double bedrooms and a garden room, and so required a completely dry internal environment.

Bilco UK supplied 21 special size Ladder Access Roof Hatches to the British Museum’s newest gallery, the Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic World. Ladder access was required to the roof void area to allow for routine maintenance activities. Bilco UK’s SS-50TB Ladder Access Roof Hatches were specified by the architects, HoK. The installation was managed by the Principle Contractor, Coniston Limited

Whitby Hospital is a Community Hospital providing inpatient, outpatient and community services. Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust provides community and out of hours services to Whitby and surrounding areas, and currently has a population of approximately 14,000 residents. A selection of Gradus Wall Protection systems alongside Gerflor flooring was specified for this critical ProCure 22 project.

The archive’s single-storey extension was clad in Corten steel Hook-on cassettes on both the walls and the mono-pitch roof. These weathered steel panels naturally oxidise to form a patina veneer, giving the façade a distinctive “rusted” look that shifts from a vibrant orange before settling to a dark red after several years of exposure to the elements. Architect: Hugh Broughton Architects

Located in the historic district of Islington in North London, Ferntower Road is close to the popular green space, Newington Green. A dull and empty public space lies at the end of the road, nestled between local shops and cafes that passersby wander through.Islington Council wanted to improve the quality of air on streets and neighbourhoods, by introducing a green corridor which would make the space more inviting and encourage the locals to sit and relax.Working with local Landscape Architects, the plan was to help improve the public space by taking an inclusive approach. By using our AKRI 600 retaining planters, large scale planting beds were designed as part of a scheme, driving biodiversity and reducing air pollution in the area.A total of four AKRI planter shapes were crafted and manufactured in corten (a naturally corrosion resistant material). The AKRI system includes a timber seating module with cladding (which complements the AKRI unit) that was added to further bring people closer to nature. In the community, the planters and seating are well received as a new addition to the once unused public space.

Gradus has supplied and installed a range of bespoke wall protection solutions throughout the ground-breaking new Proton Beam Therapy Centre at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. Gradus supplied and installed its SureProtect Pure® hygienic wall cladding in White and Iceberg shades. Specially designed to create an impermeable barrier to moisture and bacteria it features a smooth, easy-to-clean surface to ensure a hygienic solution that meets ‘Health Building Note 00-09: Infection control in the built environment’

The various rooms in the centre benefited from Gerflor’s outstanding Taralay Impression Comfort and Taralay Uni Comfort flooring.

Thistle’s Centre of Wellbeing in Edinburgh wanted floorings that couple function and style with the necessary attributes. Consequently, floorings for the gym and meeting rooms were specified. It was Gerflor’s Taraflex® Evolution in Wood Oak that satisfied Thistle’s clear brief for a good looking, comfortable, hygienic, high performing, durable, easy-maintenance gym flooring. It also fulfilled the requirements for a product that could contribute to the warm, welcoming and friendly aesthetic.

Japanese knotweed was identified on a site where refurbishment was due, including small extensions to the building and new paving to the outside space where Japanese Knotweed was located Following a limited level excavation to remove most of the knotweed rhizomes in the soil, CuTex composite root barrier was installed horizontally and vertically to cap any remaining rhizomes.

Broxap visited Trafford General, Withington Community Hospital and Wythenshawe Hospital to carry out survey and design works and come up with cycle parking solutions to benefit staff, visitors and patients. 

F. Ball products have been used to create a high-quality flooring finish at a London Hospital for the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Contractors were called to install a combination of vinyl sheet and safety flooring. Stopgap F78 was applied in two coats, to provide a quick and effective barrier against excess subfloor moisture which could attack subsequent adhesives and floorcoverings. Stopgap 300 HD levelling compound was then applied to provide a smooth, hard-wearing base for the receipt of new floorcoverings. The new vinyl sheet was then applied using Styccobond F46 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive.

THE CHALLENGE Milner Hall, a former chapel in Winchester, is one of the oldest structures in the city and a building of great architectural and religious importance. Built by the Reverend John Milner in 1792, the hall is now used for community events and meetings. In addition to the significant heritage of Milner Hall, an X-ray of the western elevation found a number of voids in the foundation due to hundreds of years of water damage. What’s more, part of an inadequate retaining wall had collapsed onto the same elevation, with the potential to cause further damage if left untreated. When Tarmac’s Limelite team was approached regarding the Milner Hall project, they instantly recommended Tempo PCE who they’d successfully worked with a number of times. THE SOLUTION Tempo PCE commonly chooses Limelite 7 for its projects; a Tarmac grout with hydraulic lime content that’s specially designed for heritage buildings, especially ancient structures such as churches. This was the ideal product to suit the needs of Milner Hall where the grout would need to be injected at a low pressure from the outside, directly filling the internal voids. Tom Phillips, Director of Tempo PCE, said: “We regularly use Limelite products and Limelite 7 was ideal for the work required at Milner Hall. The technical support they offer is incredibly valuable, as well as their reach and industry-reputation. “We strive to only work with manufacturers who can offer value and work with us as partners to ensure the best possible product is provided for a strong finish. We certainly get that with Tarmac’s Limelite team.” Iain Spence, Technical Manager for Tarmac’s Limelite range, added: “Historic structures often present suppliers with a wide number of challenges when it comes to the specification of suitable materials, and their subsequent installation. “In the case of the work at Milner Hall, the requirement was for a fluid, low strength grout that would stabilise the void in the masonry of this Grade II listed building. The Limelite Heritage Grout system provided a breathable low-density solution for these works. “Given the often delicate nature of period and historical structural repair projects, working with dedicated and knowledgeable contractors is essential to achieving the correct end result. Tempo PCE completed the works at Milner Hall utilising their extensive application skills with the Limelite Grout, delivering a much-needed structural support to the building’s foundations which should add many more years to its operational life.” 

In February 2020, we were approached by GD Construction who we have worked with in the past; they were working on a project at Ickenham Clinic in Uxbridge, London for Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. The clinic had an existing canopy which was supplied by a different supplier, yet it had received extensive wind damage and they were therefore looking to replace it.Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust were keen to replace the canopy promptly, so we needed to supply the estimated costs swiftly.

A stunning sustainable living feature, in a retail setting that combines technology with style. In the heart of London, the St James Market flagship store provides a perfect foundation to showcase this biophilic system, which is designed with air quality and wellbeing in mind.

The Strand Aldwych is a busy public area well-known as a procession route between Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. The area was historically plagued by traffic and pollution, so people were reluctant to dwell for long periods of time.The newly pedestrianised area with stone walls already in place needed public seating outside St Clement Danes Church. Coordinating the wall shape with the stone underneath was imperative, and access was needed to the lighting drivers through the platforms since the stone underneath is illuminated with LEDs. With this in mind, our design team worked collaboratively to develop a bespoke version of our modular RailRoad seating design, based on the principles where interchangeable parts can be easily removed or replaced. A RailRoad wall-top solution was created with a custom curve to match the stone walls, and the platforms have removable hatches for access when needed.The bespoke RailRoad seating solution is manufactured from our triple processed (recycled) steel and powder coated in a distinct metallic copper finish - while the iroko timbers were coated with UV protective finish in teak to maintain their natural look. This project focused on improving air quality, and our AKRI retaining planters were ideal for bringing green into the space. Their flexibility also allowed for matching the geometry of the adjacent stone benches and roads. In order to prevent damage, welded anti skates were incorporated into the solution.The project not only provides health and well-being benefits with the new public landscaped areas, it will preserve the historic character and for the first time allow people to appreciate the nearby listed buildings. The new inclusive seating spaces for people to mix in are seen to be well used as people can enjoy their lunch, meet with friends and colleagues and simply enjoy a sense of community.

Ginni Bilham, lead Interior Designer was tasked with updating and transforming the Bedale Centre which provides specialist mental health, substance misuse and learning disability services. Ginni’s main aim was to create a tranquil feeling throughout the facility, which in turn would help users of the centre to feel relaxed and comfortable during their visits. ”The décor was previously very plain. Everyone loves a trip to the seaside and feels refreshed after a day by the sea so I wanted to create that atmosphere within the Centre.” Explains Ginni.

Gradus wall protection was chosen to future-proof the facilities of Nexperia, a global leader in Discretes, Logic and MOSFET devices for the Automotive industry. The majority of Nexperia’s manufacturing takes place in laboratories. As a result, a durable wall protection system was required that would be resistant to a variety of cleaning chemicals and that can withstand the rigorous maintenance cleaning regimes which will take place at the facility.

A modern, high-end apartment building in Newcastle, the Forge combines apartment living with vibrant communal areas for the like-minded residents to enjoy. Style was contracted to create a flexible meeting area in the spacious club lounge, where tenants can gather to socialise or for work. The DORMA Varitrans HSW glass-partitioning wall offered the perfect solution, allowing a meeting room to be formed with ease, whilst retaining the open-plan feel of the room. Creating a stunning feature wall, Style sourced and manufactured a bespoke metal frame that was bolted onto the glass panels, creating a uniquely original crittall-effect.

This fine house was built in the 1920s, one of its features was the unusual ‘chequerboard’ black and white design of the original windows. The clients wished to replicate this, which required selected opening windows to be powder coated in black so as to contrast against the white outer frames. A magnificent 24-pane bay window is a prime feature of the house and shows off this unique design. The clients chose windows from Clement’s EB24 range with rectangular leaded lights. To provide added security, all the windows and doors were fitted with Clement’s multi point locking system.

Byker WallBauder Total Roof System (BTRS)SynopsisAs part of the £26 million refurbishment of this Grade II listed residential estate, which features a continuous block of over 600 properties, work was performed to not only repair the existing roof but to bring Byker Wall to the forefront of modernday roofing technology with the installation of a state-of-the-art photovoltaic system.Bauder Building BoardProject:Byker WallLocation:Newcastle upon TyneRoof Area:4,500m²Specifier:Your Homes NewcastleMain Contractor:KeepmoatApproved Contractor:Hodgson SayersProducts appliedBauder Total Roof SystemAn integrated bituminous system with a life expectancy in excess of 40 years as stated in BBA cert,BauderSOLARPhotovoltaic system was installed with 132 PV modules being fitted.The resultBefore replacing the existing waterproofing the team needed to convert the pitched metal roof back to its original flat roof status by removing the profiled metal sheets and timber framework. Subsequently, Hodgson Sayers then installed 4,500m² of Bauder’s top quality reinforced bitumen system, which included a highly efficient 120 mm PIR insulation. Four of the ten housing blocks were fitted with 132 PV Modules, enabling Byker Wall to generate at least 39.6 Megawatt Hours of solar power each year. All work was completed on time and to budget in December 2015, much to the delight of all project stakeholders.System installedBauder Total Roof System (BTRS)1 Bauder K5KA heavy duty, torch-applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet, featuring a spunbond polyester reinforcement to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture. The mineral finish provides protection against UV degradation.2 BauderTEC KSA DUO 35A technically advanced self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen underlayer with “DUO” lap technology to ensure thorough sealing of lap joints, even in lower temperatures.3 BauderPIR FA-TEAn efficient PIR insulation board with aluminium foil facing on both sides. The top facing features a printed grid pattern to aid site cutting. It is lightweight and has zero ozone depletion potential.4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finish.AdvocacyKevin Scott, Property Services Manager at Your Homes Newcastle:“Byker Wall is an exceptional example of how modern roofing can revive a historical landmark. Bauder and Hodgson Sayers delivered a roofing solution of the highest quality giving us total confidence in the future performance of the roof.”

Located near Taunton, Somerset, the Halcon Centre provides short breaks, with 24-hour professional care, for up to 18 adults who are physically disabled or have sensory loss. SureProtect Design® bespoke wall cladding was installed in the main corridor at the centre featuring a row of imitation panels, that have been designed to look hand-drawn with a marker pen to offer the homely feel the centre was looking for. In addition, the Halcon Centre further increased the corridor walls’ protection by installing Gradus’s CGH5090 High Impact PVC-u Corner Guards and WGS200 Wall Guards, both in colour Gravel.

Combining various types of moveable wall within the same building is fast becoming the latest trend for architects aiming to create the ultimate flexible space solution. One recent example is the London offices of Anglo American, a leading global mining company, where partitioning experts Style installed a complex arrangement of moveable wall systems to divide a single large space into four individual rooms.To achieve the level of adaptability required, Style utilised both solid and glass Dorma Hüppe Variflex semi-automatic moveable walls, as well as vertically rising, fully automatic Skyfold Classic 60 moveable walls.This combination enables the entire space to be re-configured quickly into smaller or larger meeting rooms, with the 57dB acoustic rating of the solid moveable wall, 52dB of the glass moveable wall and 59dB of the Skyfold delivering such an exceptional sound barrier that all rooms can host busy meetings without causing any disturbance between them.Anglo American is a leading global mining company whose products are the essential ingredients in almost every aspect of modern life. Its portfolio of world-class competitive operations, with a broad range of future development options, provides many of the future-enabling metals and minerals for a cleaner, greener, more sustainable world.Style worked with architects, MCM, and contractor, BW, to create wide-ranging flexible space in the ‘Office Zone’ and ‘Innovation Hub’ located at Anglo American’s offices in London. Within the configuration, the Skyfold walls meet with Dorma walls in T shapes, turning this very large room into four individual rooms accessible via a corridor, created when the glass moveable walls are in position.By integrating four fully-glazed pass doors into the glass moveable walls, there is ease of access into each of the meeting rooms from the temporary corridor.“This is a superb example of how a range of complementing moveable walls can combine to deliver truly first class, flexible office space,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director.“The final configuration gives Anglo American so many options as to how to use the space and is a real showcase for anyone visiting the building.”

The Garden State Hotel is an iconic building in Melbourne. Accoya was chosen for a feature wall in the balcony dining room – a VIP space that looks out over the rest of the venue. Charred Accoya was used for the feature wall to add to the secluded and private feeling of the venue. The Accoya cladding was lined with a polyurethane finish. Other sections of the feature wall were finished with Woca internal maintenance oil. Accoya was also chosen due to its incredible finish and its ability to adapt to the unique and fresh looks offered by modern architecture.

London Wall Place is a new development, with more than 500.000m2, located in the heart of London, between Moorgate and Barbican. This development is comprised by two commercial buildings and will add a large green area to the city. The largest building has about 300.000m2 and rises to a height of 12 floors, and the remaining building, with about 12.000m2, has 16 floors. For this project’s façade weatherproofing, three Effisus solutions were used: Effisus VAP (vapour barrier), Effisus Breather+ (breathable membrane) and Effisus 2Bond DS (double-sided solution for sealing between two surfaces).

Gradus has supplied and installed a range of bespoke wall protection solutions throughout the new Same Day Emergency Care building at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Fitted by the Gradus Contracts Team, the system includes wall guards, corner guards and combination handrails.

The school underwent a complete refurbishment in September 2015 and chose to use a very pale blue paint scheme throughout most of the building. Within 3 months the areas within the school that see heavy traffic, including corridors and the dining hall had begun to show signs of scuffing and wear, due to the pupils knocking against the walls with their bags. The site manager at the school was concerned by the level of damage and began to consider wall protection products to combat the problem. Gradus supplied and fitted the school with wall protection solutions to prevent further damage.