Festool Tools helps design students build new hall on campus

Located in Hooke Park, Dorset, Wakeford Hall has been constructed by students as part of the Architectural Association School of Architecture’s Design and Make Programme. The project includes the construction of a brand new library, lecture theatre and reception facilities, all of which have been built using tools from leading power tool manufacturer, Festool. Once completed, Wakeford Hall will provide a beautiful working environment for both the students based at Hooke Park campus and the general public.

The six-year project, due to be completed in 2023, will see students of the Design and Make programme construct the entirety of Wakeford Hall, a 210sqm building within Hooke Park. Currently, the students are working on the library area, which will consist of an 85sqm ground floor and 40sqm mezzanine space. The students have carefully considered the surrounding forest area throughout the construction process to incorporate innovative uses of timber within their designs. Working together, the students adopted buildability through the use of models and prototypes of the structure, which assisted them in creating a beautiful library that can be used by the next generation of students to study at Hooke Park, as well as the general public.

The project is using an extensive range of Festool products on the site. Most recently the students have been using the circular saws to cut and shape the stack laminated wood that is being used for the structural frame of the library – the structure includes 14 interlocking glue-laminated timer frames, showcasing the students’ innovative approach to timer construction. Combining Festool’s circular saw with the guide rails have ensured that the students are producing precise quality cuts, repeatedly. With the spring-mounted guide wedge, preventing kickback, the Festool circular saws help minimize the risk of injury to the students – a key consideration for the project managers overseeing the students’ work.

Festool’s cordless drills are also being used on the Wakeford Hall project. The cordless drills enable the freedom of movement of battery powered tools with torque needed to drill into the wood effortlessly. Festool’s QUADRIVE cordless percussion drill in particular has been proved to be popular enabling the team to drill long timber screws easily, guaranteeing the stability of the structure.

Project Manager at Wakeford Hall, Jack Draper, said: “Festool’s tools have been a huge assistance to us on site. The students have been able to create cuts and finishes that would have been far more difficult to achieve with alternative products. The guide rail has enabled us to achieve pin-point accuracy with cuts, and the long battery life of the cordless products has allowed the team to work on site for longer, without the need to constantly recharging or replacing the battery packs.

“Festool’s SYSTAINER T-LOC system has been another major benefit to us. Working in a forest means that all of our tools have to be packed away at the end of each day and brought back onto site the following day. This can be a lengthy process, however the SYSTAINER T-LOC enables us to connect multiple tools together and transport them easily to and from the workshop. We could not be happier with the functionality of the Festool system and the work that it has enabled us to achieve at Wakeford Hall so far.”

The Wakeford Hall project has been divided into phases – each year, the new Masters-level students on the Design and Build programme complete a new phase of the build. So far, Phase 0 (the prototype and development stage) and Phase 1 (planning and constructing the library structural frame) have been completed. The students are now in Phase 2, the development of the library structure and construction of its external envelope.

To date, 19 Design and Build students have taken part in the project, along with a further 68 from the Architectural Association’s Summerbuild programme, an intensive course for architecture, design and engineering students and young professionals looking for hands-on experience.

FESTOOL

Philipp Glaser, Marketing Manager at Festool said: “We are thrilled to have been able to assist in the creation of Wakeford Hall and be a part of the education of the next generation of architects and builders. The Festool system has been designed for improved usability and fantastic results – the work completed by the students so far has showcased this.”

Hooke Park is a 130 hectare working forest, which was acquired by the Architectural Association in 2002. In 2010, the Design and Make programme for Masters students was created, with the aim of providing hands-on experience for those interested in architecture – with a focus on the innovative use of timber within construction.

To find out more about Festool and its range of products please visit: www.festool.co.uk
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EQUITONE specified for Scottish School sports pavilion

EQUITONE [linea] fibre cement facade material has created a durable, low maintenance exterior for a brand new sports pavilion in Edinburgh.

The facility at St George’s School for Girls – the city’s only all-girls’ schools – has been given a crisp aesthetic by the EQUITONE facade, which displays a linear surface that highlights the raw inner texture of the core fibre cement material.

The new build facility was designed by local architects DRD Architects and is one of the first projects in Scotland to use EQUITONE [linea] in this scale.

Joanna Smith, architect at DRD Architects, said: “Due to the buildings location beside sports pitches, we wanted a high-quality material that was durable and able to withstand all weathers. The school was also very keen on a finish on the building that was as low-maintenance as possible.

“These factors led to us choosing EQUITONE for the facade, and we chose EQUITONE [linea] as we particularly liked the way we could create light and shadow on the facade by rotating the boards in different orientations, allowing the texture of each one to create different light patterns.”

The project used approximately 340m2 of EQUITONE [linea], and incorporates new changing facilities, ancillary accommodation, and a multi-function meeting and conference facility.

EQUITONE

Joanna added: “The overall look of the facade is very uniform and precise, yet the patterns the boards form when the light shines on them make each elevation look different and visually interesting.

“The quality of the material is high and it looks great on the building. Overall, we think the look of the material has been successful and its durability will also bring a key added benefit.”

EQUITONE [linea] is a unique 3D shaped, through-coloured facade material that plays with light and shadow and has a life expectancy of at least 50 years and a fire classification of A2-s1, d0. All EQUITONE materials are available in a range of colours, finishes and fixing options, giving full creative scope.

For more information on EQUITONE facade materials, visit www.equitone.com/en-gb.
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College Avenue: Setting the standard for Student Accommodation

Queens University Belfast’s (QUB) brand-new student accommodation at College Avenue, beautifully brings together a suite of multi-functional systems from architectural aluminium systems’ company, Metal Technology.

With an overall project value of £35,000,000, the state-of-the-art student accommodation brings together effective space optimisation and practical design to create a safe space for students in a central Belfast location with a range of purpose-built areas to facilitate a balanced approach to study, health and wellbeing.

Spanning 11 floors and an impressive 240,000ft2 the accommodation features Metal Technology’s System 17 high rise curtain walling on all facades in combination with System 5-35Hi+ turn only windows, System 23 louvres and System 5-20D Hi+ doors . These purpose designed louvres have been tested to BS6180 for guarding providing a safe environment even when the full height windows are fully opened.   Key considerations when choosing these products included practicality, safety, acoustics and thermal performance throughout the building.

Internally, the building features 747 student accommodation units, a gymnasium, study spaces, refreshment and recreational areas as well as dedicated IT suits.

All Metal Technology systems are designed to perform seamlessly together to deliver the desired aesthetic and performance standards. Used individually or together, they offer complete design flexibility for creative aesthetics with the assurance of value engineered structural, weather and security performance.

For more information visit www.metaltechnology.com

 

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Able Canopies creates bespoke shelter for University transport hub

As part of a £5 million infrastructure development for Bournemouth University, a new bus hub has been built to offer bus passengers a high-quality purpose-built facility for their journeys to and from the Talbot campus. Together with Atkins architects, Able Canopies designed and erected two bespoke canopies providing shelter for the hub and incorporating transparent photovoltaic glass technology into an attractive, practical and modern design.

Bournemouth University was looking to build a large capacity bus hub aimed at improving the quality of its bus service by providing bus users with central and convenient access to the Bournemouth’s Talbot Campus, improved sense of arrival and allowing for future growth in bus use.

Construction company Mildren Construction was selected to deliver this project and awarded the detailed design and build of the bus hub canopy to Able Canopies, who created a bespoke solution that built on the merits of one of its bestselling products.

Josh Foord, Technical Sales Manager at Able Canopies was involved heavily with the specification process. On the design he commented: “The shelter had to complement the design concept of the bus hub and had to deliver on the University’s sustainability goals by utilising transparent photovoltaic glass technology to increase on-site energy generation capacity. A bespoke solution based on our stylish Kensington system allowed us to meet those needs and build in effective drainage, seating and under canopy wind protection.”

Able Canopies’ successful Dual-Pitch free standing Kensington was an ideal solution, allowing for the easy incorporation of the additional elements required by the site. Two Kensington canopies were created, measuring approximately 22 by 5 metres each, from a powder coated and hot dip galvanised steel frame and ten-millimetre thick toughened glass panels, alongside the solar glass inserts. With its robust steel frame, the structure is able to withstand all weather conditions. The Kensington system is able to withstand wind downforce of 0.46kN/sqm and a uniform snow load of 0.6kN/sqm .

The canopies’ unique styling provides a strong aesthetic statement with an incline from three metres in height in the middle of the hub to four meters at the hub’s ends. Bespoke rounded glass end panels were also fitted to each end of the hub to create a stylish finish. Having previously used the Kensington on installations where solar power was required, the Able Canopies team knew that solar integration would be possible, as requested by the Bournemouth University specification.

Throughout this process Able Canopies worked closely with the solar glass provider and with some minor alterations to the system the panels were able to fit perfectly into the Kensington roof.

Another key consideration was how the solar panel cables were going to be concealed but easily accessed for maintenance at a later date. To achieve this, access panels were installed in the two support posts at the taller end of each canopy. One post carries the DC cables from the solar panels and the other carries the AC cables for the lighting. The two posts at the other end of each canopy were designed to be integral rain water pipes which disperse all water from the roof into a drainage connection below the paving.

Josh continued, “The result was a standout look for a practical transport hub, providing effective weather protection and a long term pay back via renewable energy generation. The project demonstrates the opportunities available to organisations to maximise the use of roof panels and turn what could be seen as dead space into an added value shelter with renewable energy generation.”

Marcin Grabowski, Programme Manager at Bournemouth University Estates commented: “I think it was a great idea to change the originally proposed bespoke canopy with timber roof to a product based on an established system that not only looks great but will provide continuous return both in terms of carbon and capital expenditure. The power generating canopy is just one example of how the Bournemouth University is investing to reduce its environmental impact and it is expected to save up to 8 tons of CO2 per year, contributing to Bournemouth University’s carbon reduction target of 40% by 2020/21. Overall, we have enjoyed working with Able Canopies and are looking forward to more future ventures involving new, green technologies’’.

With a life expectancy of up to 25 years, dependant on finish, Able Canopies’ Kensington Dual-Pitch is ideal for a range of applications within the education and leisure industry, providing shelter for outdoor education, dining, car parks and waiting areas. With the addition of solar panelling, a Kensington can create a safe and comfortable space with an ecological outlook – allowing for the generation of renewable energy for use in and around the canopy.

For more information on the Kensington Dual Pitch and other Able Canopies systems, please visit www.ablecanopies.co.uk/canopies/.

 

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Heat recovery units from Air Vent Technology

Models from Air Vent Technology’s extensive range of heat recovery units are particularly suited for installation into schools, ensuring that buildings are properly ventilated, whilst keeping heat loss during the winter months to a minimum.

The new range of Infinity® low profile heat recovery units are available in 10 standard sizes with airflow up to 4.33 m3 /sec. Options are side, or bottom access, a stacked arrangement if desired, and for internal or external installation.

Units are available with either an EHB or LPHW heater battery, and are only some of AVT’s extensive range of ventilation products (air handling – heat recovery – energy efficient with EC motors – cabinet and twin fans and emergency smoke extract units).

For further information please contact Email: Sales@airventtechnology.co.uk Web: www.airventtechnology.co.uk

 

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Klober Permo® air gets public sector performance recognition

Klober has received a significant boost for its market-leading low resistance air-open underlay Permo® air with certification by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) for its Registered Details scheme.

LABC, which represents all building control teams in England and Wales, ensures that buildings are safe, healthy, inclusive and efficient, and meet the standards set by the Building Regulations. Its Registered Details scheme is a one-off certification process that proves compliance with Building Regulations and Standards across England, Wales and Scotland

In the past, variable performance of vapour permeable underlays led to the NHBC and BSI deciding that only air-open membranes could be used without supporting high level ventilation.

Designed to meet this requirement and prevent condensation forming in the roofspace, Klober Permo® air offers an exceptional level of breathability. It has a water vapour transmission sd-Value of 0.009m and a water vapour resistance confirmed to be as low as 0.045 MNs/g. As a result, it has been specified for roofing upgrades of many high profile and historic buildings.

For new builds, particularly those with complex roof designs, underlay performance is put under greatest strain during the critical drying out period. Permo® air’s use on both cold and warm roof installations avoids the additional cost of supporting ventilation and offers the additional benefit of having been tested for wind uplift resistance by the BRE. It found the membrane to be suitable for use up to Zone 5 on the BS 5534:2014 + A2:2018 wind zone map (with laps taped or battened in zones 4 and 5).

BBA and IAB approved, Permo® air not only avoids the additional cost of supporting ventilation, but also interruptions in the roofline caused by traditional tile or slate vents. Being manufactured from polypropylene, it is also fully recyclable.

Commenting on the certification Graham Copson, Product Systems Manager – Components, said: “Certification from LABC for its Registered Details scheme is great news for Klober. Registering Permo® air with LABC increases industry confidence in this already popular product and it helps ensure acceptance by all local authorities across the country.”

To find out more about Permo® air, visit: http://klober.co.uk/shop/category/air-open-underlay
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Holistically enhancing hierachy of needs for pupils and staff

“I hadn’t appreciated what a difference it would make for children & staff.”

That is the view of estates manager of Kingsweston School in Bristol, Clive Farmer, and the reasoning behind his specification of fixtures, including a Closomat Palma Vita shower (wash & dry) toilet, for the school’s new hygiene room.

Kingsweston School has evolved over its history as a special school to focus on the needs of pupils with profound disabilities, partnering with other special schools in the area so that specialist environments for all children with special educational needs in the area are met. Its ethos is based round the Maslow theory, which specifically itemises excretion as a basic physiological element of the hierarchy of needs.

In line with that approach, the school is updating its facilities to provide appropriate support- including the creation of a hygiene room complete with a ceiling track hoist, height adjustable washbasin, height adjustable changing bench, and Palma Vita shower (wash & dry) toilet, all supplied by Closomat and installed by Aztech Building Services.

The Closomat looks like- and can be used as- a conventional WC; its integrated douching and drying functions ensure the child is efficiently and consistently cleaned after toileting without the need for care staff intervention.

The new hygiene room replicates that already installed in the school a couple of years ago, and ensures compliance with the criteria laid down in Building Bulletin 104. Explained estates manager Clive Farmer, “It was important to mirror the facilities we already have, as the children are familiar with that. It makes it easier for them to adjust to being in a different section of the school as they move from primary to secondary.

“When I chose the Closomat shower toilet for the first room, I hadn’t appreciated what a difference it would make to pupils and staff in terms of hygiene: it works really well; it is better for the staff as they don’t have to wipe the children clean. It also means when other special schools with which we partner use our facilities, they have appropriate toilets for their pupils. I therefore requested that not only was a Closomat fitted into the new room, but that Closomat provided all the equipment, as it had previously.”

Closomat is the ‘go to’ provider for accessible toilet provision, and is fully Construction (Design & Management) 2015 compliant. The expertise within the company represents the combined wealth of knowledge amassed from over 55 years’ helping disabled people optimise their dignity and independence in the bathroom, at home and away.

Its website www.clos-o-mat.com is acknowledged as a key resource to help take the first steps towards efficient accessibility provision, including design guidance, white papers, CAD blocks, NBS specification clauses and case studies

For further information visit www.clos-o-mat.com

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Northern Powerhouse in education

Blackpool engineering skills are playing a part in establishing a Northern Alliance of high quality education.

Gilberts, Britain’s leading independent air movement specialist, has employed cutting edge ventilation technology for main contractor Kier Construction for the new Don Valley Academy & Performing Arts College in Scawthorpe, Doncaster. The school is part of the Delta Trust, which aims to establish a Northern Alliance to transform educational outcomes in the region, with a core value of promoting environmental awareness and protection locally, regionally and globally.

To meet the requirements of the Facilities Output Specification (FOS), and Department for Education school building guidelines (BB101 and BB93), Gilberts has supplied its state of the art Mistral Fusion System (MFS) stand-alone, ductless, dynamic hybrid ventilation solution for multi-occupancy rooms.

The modular design of MFS has meant one core product has been used to address design configurations of ventilation through the wall or through the roof in all teaching spaces. Thus, 130 MFS 128 units paired with Gilberts’ WMZ glazed in façade louvres have been utilised to deliver appropriate airflow and quality into the classrooms with minimal heat loss throughout the three-storey building. A further four MFS units were then configured to create two natural ventilation roof terminals (MFS-VN), delivering fresh air intake and stale air extract for the main hall, in conjunction with four WHC high performance façade louvres.

Separately Gilberts’ Mistrale 75 natural ventilation façade louvre cassettes with VN75 dampers have been used to allow fresh air into non teaching areas.

Kier contracts manager for the project Mike Gorman explained, “Gilberts’ breadth of product and expertise meant we could, from one source, obtain the key elements we needed to ensure compliance with the ventilation criteria, knowing that the few component types required would all integrate as required, regardless of different subcontractors installing the façade and building services. The stand-alone, duct-free format of the MFS meant the whole installation was less complex than alternative solutions.”

Mistrale MFS mixes internal and external air to ventilate the internal space. Each stand-alone unit comprises a through façade external louvre, mixing damper and low energy fan. These combine to modulate airflow, mixing the new, fresh air with the warm exhaust air, extracting its heat without the need for an exchanger, and ensuring an even distribution of airflow.

Just 2 no Mistrale MFS128 single-sided units will ventilate a standard 32 person classroom, achieving the 8litres/sec/person fresh air required by current Department of Education Building Bulletin (BB101) and PBSP guidelines. Each unit also achieves relevant acoustic considerations: its operational ‘noise’ is less than 30dbA, and it has been engineered to absorb external noise to keep within the classroom criteria.

Gilberts’ Mistrale 75 is a natural ventilation solution designed to provide smooth, accurate and stable airflow. The system attains a U value of 0.96W/m2/K, with air leakage less than 5m3/hr/m2. The 75mm blade pitch of the core WH louvres delivers high performance with Class A weatherability, and a free ventilation area of 50%.

Founded 50+ years ago, privately owned Gilberts is unique in having its own, on-site (95,000ft2) manufacturing facility, producing engineered solutions, with an in-house test centre. Technical expertise is supported with full in-house testing addressing air movement and combining with computational fluid dynamics CFD).

For further information contact Gilberts on Tel 01253 766911; e: info@gilbertsblackpool.com Website: www.gilbertsblackpool.com
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Fibo panels: the perfect finish for Swindon new build nursery

Fibo wall panels have been used to clad the whole interior of a new build nursery in Chiseldon, Swindon. Paul Foggoa, Construction Manager of Swindon Borough Council, comments: “We were very impressed with the wall panels as they removed the need for plasterboard, dry-liners, decorators and tilers! The panels are now also being specified for the refurbishment of the main building at Chiseldon Primary School.”

The new nursery was built in just 22 weeks using timber frame and prefab insulated panels for a fast-track construction. A range of Fibo panels in different colours and designs were fitted throughout all seven rooms of the nursery. Fibo wall panels provide a watertight system that can be used in bathrooms, kitchens and as a decorative wipe-clean wall surface – ideal for educational buildings.

Paul Foggoa continues: “This was the first time we’d used wall panels. The Architecture and Construction Management team within Swindon Borough Council found Fibo via the website and it was agreed that the system suited the project really well. The panels are great for the environment, clean and durable and low maintenance too. The installation was quick and easy so it ticked all the boxes.”

Made from laminated birch, the tongue-and-groove Aqualock design means Fibo’s panel system is fitted quickly and easily, with a seamless waterproof finish. They come with a market-leading 15-year guarantee and provide a high quality, long lasting surface. It’s every bit as effective as a tiled one, but without the disadvantages – no grouting to clean and replace, no mould growth, low maintenance, shorter installation time and lower fitting costs.

Paul adds: “It’s a great quality product, I’m even considering using the panels at home. There really are no limitations!”

Find out how your project can benefit from using Fibo wall panels call 01494 771242 or email sales@fibo.co.uk. Visit www.fibo.co.uk and follow @Fibo_UK on twitter.
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School toilet guidelines updated – new summary document published

Guidelines on school toilet provision have been updated for new build and refurbishment/conversion projects.

Closomat, Britain’s leading provider of accessible toilets in and out of the home, has addressed changes to Department for Education/ Education Funding Agency guidelines and the latest British Standard, in one, easy reference document.

The white paper- Considerations & Specification of Assisted Accessible Toilet Facilities in Educational Buildings- in one place covers the key elements of the revised Building Bulletin 104, and BS8300:2018. It enables specifiers to easily cross-reference their specifications and designs to ensure appropriate compliance on accessibility and special needs.

“School toilets really matter,” says Robin Tuffley, Closomat marketing manager. “Above and beyond the growing number of pupils with special needs who attend mainstream schools, there is an increase in the number of children who start school not toilet trained, with a correlating increase in the number of toiletary mishaps that require intervention. Figures also indicate at least 10% of pupils have a continence issue. And what about hygiene, not just for the child, but the member of staff helping them? What about privacy? Independence? Learning personal care skills?

“As all the key criteria are now in one document, school estates managers can use the white paper to put in place the groundwork for a compliant, appropriate scheme, ready to be installed during term recesses, depending on the amount of time required to effect the upgrade or refurbishment.”

The white paper covers the requirements and recommendations for toilets in educational buildings, including the importance of properly sized and specified hygiene rooms. It also covers the relevant changes to BS8300, which now specifically itemises educational establishments as buildings covered by its ‘best practice’ remit, particularly with regard to a Changing Places assisted accessible toilet facility.

Closomat has 55 years’ experience in delivering personal hygiene solutions for domestic and non-domestic environments. The company has developed a range of equipment and support services that today meets every need, at home and away, from adapting a domestic bathroom through to a full specification hygiene room with a changing bench and ceiling track hoist in educational buildings, or similar (Changing Places) facility in commercial and public venues.

Uniquely, the products are backed up by in-house support, that is fully Construction (Design & Management) compliant, from assessment of requirements, design of an accessible bathroom or washroom to legislative and budgetary requirements, installation and commissioning of equipment, and lifetime maintenance.

Full details of equipment are available on the company’s website, www.clos-o-mat.com.
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