Features

One of the major challenges for US companies when considering office interiors for a regional headquarters is the need to balance their established corporate style with a look and feel that will appeal to the employees and customers of the region in which they are operating.

The construction industry has often hesitated in the past when it comes to embracing digital technology, avoiding sporadic investment into emerging trends without solid evidence and proof of return. With less than 1% of revenues being spent on IT and digitalisation of operations, it’s an industry with a lot of catching up to do. With many digital technological innovations now proving their worth from conceptual design through to on-site physical construction, their adoption is becoming a catalyst for fundamental change in the way that construction projects are designed, developed and managed overall.

In this article, Paul Goggins, Specification Manager for UAP, explains why architects and specifiers must balance aesthetics with proven performance and reliable supply when specifying hardware for fire doors.

The Pontsteiger building rises up to a height of 90m above the waters of the Houthaven port, making it one of the tallest structures in Amsterdam. To ensure a waterproof, air-tight building envelope, CARLISLE CM Europe EPDM products were used for waterproofing facade and walkways.

While flat roofs are a superb roof covering solution, failing to factor in fire risks during hot works at the design stage can have catastrophic consequences. Daniel Tucker, Systems Product Manager at BMI UK & Ireland, discusses the NFRC’s Safe2Torch campaign and associated manufacturer support.

The BBA is a well-known and respected certification body which, through its testing, inspection and approvals activity, has been supporting innovation in the construction products industry for more than 50 years.

This month’s focus, Refurb & Retrofit, centres on British Standards BS5543 from Klober, and BS 8612 from BMI.

Zaha Hadid Architects and A_Lab have won the architectural competition to design the Fornbuporten and Fornebu Senter stations, two of the six stations planned for the new Fornebubanen metro line in Oslo.

Extra safety has been incorporated into an extra care housing development for over-55s, courtesy of GEZE UK.

Despite the serious risks associated with sub-standard products, there are currently no mandatory standards in place to regulate the manufacture and sale of flat-roof skylights in the UK. Justin Seldis, Managing Director at leading provider Sunsquare, explains what this means for specifiers – and what they can do to help make a change.