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A Window Into SWA Commercial Project Winner 2025, West Leigh
At the 2025 Steel Window Association awards, the Commercial Project winner was West Leigh ’s Len House project. Andy Bawn, MD of West Leigh, tells us all about the company today. Len House, Maidstone – West Leigh’s meticulous restoration of this Grade II listed Art Deco landmark, featuring like-for-like W20 steel windows and doors, curved frames, and bespoke detailing to preserve its historic character What is your core business? Andy Bawn, Managing Director for West Leig


Fantastic Acoustic Solution At Thackley Primary School, Bradford
Thackley Primary School in Bradford is a busy, happy and active environment for learning, working hard to secure the highest educational standards for their pupils. At the centre of everything they do are their core aims of high standards, Skills for life and creating happy memories. However, both the staff and children were experiencing acoustic problems in the fantastic hall at the heart of their school. The large, open plan room provided a multi-use space used for assembli


The Montcalm Mayfair Project With Fitzroy of London
Leading accessible bathroom brand Fitzroy of London collaborated with London interior design studio, Studio Mica, to develop accessible bathroom solutions for the launch of the new guest rooms and suites at Montcalm Mayfair in London. The brief was to elevate the guest experience through contemporary design that is both inclusive and effortlessly elegant, ensuring every accessible bathroom is as thoughtfully crafted as any other hotel room. In need of bathroom solutions that


Gilberts Helps University Balance Sustainability And Quiet
Future generations of vets are being given a green and peaceful environment in which to study, due in part to Gilberts. The University of Bristol has commissioned a new Veterinary School to support its commitment to a case-based learning model, providing specialised spaces for small-group learning. The two-storey building, designed by ADP Architecture and built by Beard Construction, features numerous elements to help deliver the University’s ambition of being a net zero camp


Sliding In Style: Tigerplay And HIMACS Put The Fun Into Safe And Durable Play Area Design
The ways in which HIMACS can elevate a design are extensive, as are the ways in which it can bring joy into a project. As soft play experts Tigerplay have discovered, it’s also ideal for designing slides that deliver just as much fun on the way back down! The properties that make the premium solid surface material perfect for such applications are considerable: strong, yet thermoformable into any shape desired; warm and silky to the touch, yet robust and durable; inherently


FP McCann Precast Concrete Architectural Facade Panels And Balconies Feature On Luxury Hyde Park Development
FP McCann’s architectural facade division has supplied and installed bespoke acid-etched precast concrete cladding units, stone inlaid precast panels and precast balconies to envelope a brand-new 190,000 sqft luxury residential development overlooking Hyde Park, London. “Park Modern” is a nine-storey building comprising 57 high-end one to six bedroom apartments, amongst some of the most prestigious in Kensington. Residents in the development have access to valet parking, a re


HMG Paints Colours Used In Collyhurst Village Show Homes
As the development of Collyhurst Village ushers in an exciting new chapter for the community, HMG Paints is proud to play a part in shaping this transformation. As Manchester continues to grow through regeneration, the team at HMG Paints is delighted to welcome new neighbours and support a project that reflects the spirit and heritage of the area. Working collaboratively with FEC UK and Project Furniture Residential, HMG Paints supplied a full range of interior coatings for


New Urban Oasis Created At The Natural History Museum
The previously underused 5-acre gardens around the Natural History Museum in London have been remarkably transformed in a scheme by architects Feilden Fowles. Working closely with landscape architects J & L Gibbons, and a design team including Gitta Gschwendtner, engineers HRW and Max Fordham, a new urban oasis has been created alongside a Nature Activity Centre supported by AWS and Garden Kitchen café. The project rejuvenates the grounds of this well-loved museum and crea


Kashdan-Brown Architects Reaches For The Sky With SterlingOSB Zero
As the annual SterlingOSB Zero/RIBAJ competition celebrated its 10th anniversary, the 2025 competition entitled Powers of Ten , challenged architects to explore the principles of scale. Entrants were unrestricted by building standards and were free to play with the concept of scale and design a structure from competition sponsor West Fraser's SterlingOSB Zero . This year's competition winner, Kashdan-Brown Architects, imagined a 1:10 scale model reconstruction of the 140-m


West Fraser Helps Housebuilders Meet Net Zero Targets
West Fraser has always been committed to being at the environmental forefront within its industry. The company promotes the benefits of sustainable forestry , w ith young, fast-growing trees being the lungs of Earth, breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during the day to help generate a healthy world in which we can all thrive . The company’s well - managed stocks also provide the raw material for the company’s panel products. As well as planting more trees


Engineered Wood: The Environmental And Economic Benefits
David Connacher, Marketing Manager of West Fraser, discusses the benefits of engineered wood panels It is well accepted that the use of timber panel products began a century back when plywood was first manufactured in quantity . Aeons beforehand, the E gyptians also came to understand the benefit of gluing sections of timber together, enhancing the natural strength of wood fibres by alternating the direction of the grain. Today, as mankind struggles with huge population gr


ASWS Supports Glasshouse Street Christmas Charity Collection For The Whitechapel Mission
Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS), a leading specialist in heritage fenestration and architectural metalwork, proudly supported the Glasshouse Street Christmas Charity Collection for The Whitechapel Mission , joining forces with BAM and fellow subcontractors to make a meaningful difference this festive season. Pictured left is ASWS’ Site Manager Jono helping deliver their donations to The Whitechapel Mission over the Christmas period, while right is just some of the ge


Concave Sliding Door Creates Unique Curved Garage Space In Redevelopment Project
A bespoke curved side sliding timber garage door by Rundum Meir has enabled a unique feature garage to be created as part of the extensive remodelling of a large private dwelling in southern England. A Rundum Original sliding garage door spanning 8m wide and 2.2m high was integrated within the new designs by BWP Architects for a major property renovation, transforming a house which had evolved in an uncoordinated and poorly designed way. The door provides access to a large g


Haddonstone At 55: Building The Future Of Architectural Stonework
“ We’re not just making stone - we’re building trust, quality, and heritage that lasts for generations .” Nick Lantsbery, Managing Director, Haddonstone Managing Director Nick Lantsbery As Haddonstone approaches its 55th anniversary in 2026, Managing Director Nick Lantsbery reflects on the company’s performance, its people, and its plans for the future. Despite a challenging construction landscape, Haddonstone has not only maintained its position as a market leader but also s


Keller Unveils Affordable, Bio-Based Contract Kitchen Range - A First In The Industry
Keller Kitchens , long recognised as an industry leader in kitchen sustainability, is taking a bold leap forward. In early 2026, the Dutch kitchen specialist is set to launch an entirely new range that combines carbon-neutral manufacturing with biobased materials and affordability; a first in the industry. enduura® elba is a truly sustainable kitchen solution. This innovative range will debut in four on-trend colours, carefully curated to meet the evolving demands of today’s


Siderise Updates Its Masonry Cavity Barrier And Firestop Range With Pioneering Open State Solutions
Siderise has launched three new Masonry open state cavity barrier products for 25 and 50mm air-gaps. The fire resistance performance of the three new additions is IFC certified (IFCC), alongside the existing Siderise EWI Open State Cavity Barrier and Firestop s, offering peace of mind that they are suitably tested and independently audited. The three new products that have been introduced are: EW25-FS60 with a 1-hour fire resistance (E 60 I 60) for air gaps up to 25mm. EW50


A Work Of Art: CRL Stone’s Venetian Grande Worktop Takes Centre Stage In This Stunning kitchen Renovation
Galway-based artist Ciara O’Neill’s new kitchen was always going to be something special. With a degree in Interior Design, the contemporary artist has a real eye for colour, which features in many rooms throughout her house. So, when it came to designing her new kitchen, she knew a more muted, neutral palette would provide the perfect balance. “I wanted to create a relaxed neutral space because the other areas of my home have vibrant pops of colour,” Ciara explains. However


ISO-Chemie’s WINFRAMER Energy Efficiency Boost For Major Edwardian House Retrofit
ISO-Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified to provide energy efficiency improvements to an Edwardian property in Oxfordshire. The move sees WINFRAMER units retrofitted as part of an initiative to bring the poorly insulated solid walled house built in 1909 in Oxford, up to current energy efficiency standards, providing better quality accommodation for the homeowner along with long-term cost savings. Passivhaus certified and fir


SterlingOSB Zero Is A Picnic For Architects
As the annual SterlingOSB Zero/RIBAJ competition celebrated its 10th anniversary, the 2025 competition entitled Powers of Ten, challenged architects to explore the principles of scale. Entrants were unrestricted by building standards and were free to play with the concept of scale and design a structure from competition sponsor West Fraser 's SterlingOSB Zero . Pictured is West Fraser's marketing manager, David Connacher, and Steve McCloy This year's commended winners, St


Marmox Thermoblocks Insulate Tudor Reconstruction
The reconstruction of a rambling old farmyard close to Ely in East Cambridgeshire is making use of well proven Marmox Thermoblocks, specified in three widths as the ideal solution for tackling thermal-bridging around the building perimeter as part of a well-insulated design. Mitchell’s Barn is replacing a sprawling complex of dilapidated tin cowsheds and a rather more attractive oak barn which was founded on a plinth of Tudor era bricks. The original planning permission allow
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