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http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_machinery/wrightstyle/press9.html Thu, 15 May 2008 16:22:12 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_machinery/wrightstyle/press9.html Wrightstyle Goes Back to School in Groundbreaking Project One of the country's leading technology colleges has reopened following a £28.5 million project that utilised specialist glazing systems to create a stunning new approach to the school environment. Leigh Technology Academy in Dartford, Kent, which first opened in 1990, is rated academically as one of highest-achieving schools in England and Wales, with a school roll of over 1200 pupils - a flagship establishment that is pioneering new ways of learning in business, sport and science. Underlying that difference in teaching approach, glass and glazing systems from leading supplier Wrightstyle were used within the building to form transparent linkages between classrooms and common areas, and between exterior and interior spaces. The project, to build four three-storey colleges and a sports hall, with an indoor garden and large exterior glass frontage, was designed to allow light to flood through the building, and provide large and inspirational places for learning - a radically different approach to traditional educational architecture, which separates and segments classroom areas. "The design was exceptionally challenging. I think one of the most important and difficult aspects of this project were the number of fire rated and non fire rated screens, all interfacing at the same point from different angles and different planes. This really highlights the versatility of both the system and the fabricator, APiC UK Limited," said Lee Coates, Technical Director of Wrightstyle. "It was a project for which we supplied glass and glazing systems - a complete solution that this project absolutely required. By supplying both the glass and the framing systems, and working closely with our fabricator, we were able to contribute towards solving the design challenges and help guarantee the finished systems," he said. To achieve its aim of creating a transparent and inspirational interior space, the BDP-designed building makes extensive use of large-span glazing, with curved interior screens offering stunning vistas through the building. In providing a complete package of systems and complementary fire glasses, Wrightstyle supplied its advanced SR curtain walling system, with protection from 30 to 60 minutes of integrity and insulation. This system seamlessly blended interior fire-rated elements with the exterior non-fire protected envelope, whilst also achieving advanced acoustic requirements. The company also supplied their 6050 F1 Series doors and screens, to comply with the building's fire evacuation strategy. So not only providing glazed fire doors but also protecting two lift shafts in the winter garden area - a complete glass and glazing system solution. The screens, doors and curtain walling were fabricated by West Bromwich based APiC UK Limited, whose unrivalled expertise in the design and fabrication of glazing systems, meant they were ideal for this complex and challenging project. “We were delighted with the creativity and professionalism of APiC, who successfully translated vision to reality, designing and fabricating a solution with which the client is delighted, ” said Simon Bennett, Sales Director, Wrightstyle. “This was a project that demonstrates how modern glazing systems can give voice to an architect's imagination - and to allow the design of buildings that, even a few years ago, would have been impossible,” he said. Wrightstyle provides complete and glass and steel glazing systems solutions, including curtain walling and roof glazing, screens, doors and a range of glasses to meet all fire, ballistic and blast requirements - and all certified to BS, EN and DIN regulations. Main contractor for the project was Galliford Try. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/rmd/press4.html Wed, 14 May 2008 16:42:25 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/rmd/press4.html South African Launch News - South African Launch Construction sector set to benefit from the arrival of RMD Kwikform With the construction sector booming and the 2010 world cup getting ever closer, the industry has had a welcome boost, thanks to the opening of a South African division by global formwork and falsework specialist RMD Kwikform. Having previously supported the market through its business development team, RMD Kwikform has heavily invested in new premises, staff and equipment to bring its world leading product range to South Africa. To find out more about the business, its ambitious plans for the future and how it is setting up its services to tackle some of the key issues in the construction sector, leadership caught up with RMD Kwikform South Africa's new MD, Theunis Visser, an individual with an impressive background in the construction sector. Having qualified as an Architectural Technologist, in 1993, Theunis spent seven years working for Henry Snyman Partnership Architects in Klerksdorp on a range of concept and detailed design projects, in addition to managing a project team. He then joined Johannesburg based Formscaff, as a trainee, rising through the ranks to regional manager of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, before becoming RMD Kwikform South Africa, managing director on 1 March 2007, where the greatest challenge of his career is only just beginning. Theunis: "For the South African construction market these are exciting times, you only have to visit any of our major cities to see the sheer scale of construction work that is prevalent throughout the country. The levels of investment are at an all time high and resources are being poured into the sector. "However, as with any rapidly maturing market of this kind, there are real issues to be tackled within the construction sector, particularly when it comes to safe working practices, skills and build quality. Only if the industry as a whole addresses these issues, will the country be able to protect its citizens and reap the long-term sustainable benefits of the building boom. "Having spent more than 16 years working within the South African construction sector, I have witnessed the countries dramatic transition and development, that has changed the skyline of our major cities and seen an extensive development of the infrastructure needed to support the growth in the economy. "Throughout this time I have also seen how the industry has tackled the challenges it faces and gained an understanding of how to exploit the advances made in modern construction techniques. This is why it was so important for me to be involved in the launch of RMD Kwikform's new South African division, hand picking a team of 19 professionals that will bring a whole new approach to formwork and falsework in the region. "Customers that are new to RMD Kwikform will see a welcome change to the service offering they are used to. Unlike other businesses in the sector, our service is based on a combination of engineering expertise, market leading equipment, local knowledge and global experience. What this ultimately means for customers is that they have access to a business that delivers a total formwork and falsework solution, packaged to the individual needs of their project. "Dealing with a business that is part of RMD Kwikform's global operations, also means our customers have the benefit of the experience gained by our highly skilled team on the ground and hundreds of colleagues across the world. This is significant as our customers know that our operations in South Africa are not isolated and that they are able to draw on the knowledge gained through RMD Kwikform's 60 years in formwork and falsework. For example, our colleagues in the Middle East, Spain and the UK are all currently working on projects that use our formwork and falsework systems to construct essential infrastructure projects, from bridges and tunnels used by cars and trains, to support structures for metro links. These larger structural projects benefit from the use of our Megashor shoring system, which can cope with unrivalled axial loads of up to 1,000kN and our Superslim Soldier steel beam range, both of which combine to create systems capable of withstanding even the harshest of conditions. Our Megashor and Superslim Soldier products are also supported by our specialist GTX structural timber beams, which are designed to integrate with our range of formwork and shoring products. Together this equipment range offers customers a totally new approach to building with concrete, allowing engineers to really explore larger and more complex structures, something which is a total change from the current projects being considered in the country. "In a similar fashion, for time specific projects like stadium construction, where the looming deadline of 2010 is upon us, RMD Kwikform's experience of delivering solutions used to build the likes of the Sydney Olympic stadium and numerous other similar venues, is invaluable. I am particularly excited about this area of expertise, as I know developers are facing increasing pressure to deliver for 2010. Thanks to our investment they will now be able to turn to a business that has the skills and knowledge to support the country as it strives to complete essential works on time. "In addition to stadia, when it comes to developing our cities for the future, it is important to know that you have the support of a business that can turn an architect's vision of an eye catching landmark development into a reality. It is in these circumstances where RMD Kwikform comes into its own and where product development and innovation plays an important role. Here, having access to RMD Kwikform's product development team, allows us to continually enhance our product offering, as they are constantly designing new components and product ranges to cope with the challenges of modern architecture. "Alshor Plus, our innovative aluminium shoring system is one such product that is set to make its mark in South Africa, as it overcomes some of the key safety issues relating to shoring as well as cutting down erection times. Recently used on a large scale to construct the Bahrain World Trade Centre, the Dubai Mall,(the largest shopping mall in the world) and Hamad Medical City in Qatar (the worlds largest hospital), Alshor Plus has already made a significant impact in the global formwork market and is now here in South Africa. Theunis: "From a purely practical business perspective, it is worth outlining just what RMD Kwikform South Africa can do to help customers in the construction sector. Firstly, we start from a very strong position, having access to innovative, world-class products. Secondly but equally vital is turning these products into solutions and is the reason why we have and will continue to invest so heavily in the professional skills of our team. It is this experience and the knowledge of our engineers that gives us the ability to offer our customers a more involved service, developing solutions that are both relevant to their needs and fulfil their technical specifications. One key benefit that we address at the very start of every project comes from our 'safety first' global process management approach. As a business we value the life of every individual that comes into contact with our products. Our ongoing 'Don't Walk By' campaign is very much the visual aspect of this 'safety first' approach, as through the use of our specially designed logo and safety training literature, we promote the philosophy and benefits of taking a proactive approach to safety. By encouraging everyone who sees a health and safety related issue to report it and take action to make safe the potential hazard, we have worked with our customers to reduce work place incidents and in particularly promote safe working at heig http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/water_supply/wavin-plastic/press32.html Mon, 12 May 2008 10:58:41 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/water_supply/wavin-plastic/press32.html Introducing the OSMA UFH Electric Mat With more than a third of house buyers adding underfloor heating to their top five wish list1, the new OSMA Underfloor Heating (UFH) electric mat system from Wavin will come as a welcome addition to its already extensive range of 'genius' UFH options. The new UFH electric mat systems are available in 100W/m² and 150W/m² to accommodate different floor structures and are the perfect option for the renovation and refurbishment market. The electric mat system complements the existing OSMA UFH range giving home owners complete flexibility when it comes to choosing the right UFH option for their individual needs. The electric mat 100 is suitable for all types of subfloor including timber and can be used under almost all floor finishes including tiles, stone, vinyl, wood, laminate or carpet. The Electric Mat 150 is the perfect choice where a higher output is required and must be installed on a solid subfloor using a ceramic floor finish. The benefits of the UFH electric mat are clear. Its thin construction, measuring just 5mm, makes it a truly versatile option for projects that don't have the depth of space for traditional screeded UFH options - usually requiring 122mm build up from the subfloor. The total overall floor build up thickness using the Electric Mat could be as little as 6mm. Not only that, it's fast and easy to install and requires no special skills to complete the mat installation. Awkward-shaped rooms or small areas such as bathrooms are ideal room scenarios for the Electric Mat. The self adhesive glass fibre mesh can be easily cut to accommodate curves and corners in the room. The Electric Mat 100 is available in two metre and four metre lengths and the Electric Mat 150 is available in six metre and ten metre lengths - providing complete flexibility for every room type. The new Electric Mat is recommended for use with the OSMA UFH PRT-E dual sensor thermostat to give the home owner complete control over its use. The Electric Mat system forms part of the six OSMA UFH options available from Wavin, along with staples, system plates, Pocketed polystyrene, Foiled polystyrene and Modular chipboard, providing an option to suit all buildings and floor constructions. The 'genius' OSMA systems have been developed using the cleverest technology but are still simple to understand and easy to install. Even the most basic OSMA UFH system, staples, works on the genius principle and has been designed to give full flexibility for screed floors even if small or irregularly shaped. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/water_supply/wavin-plastic/press31.html Mon, 12 May 2008 10:03:00 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/water_supply/wavin-plastic/press31.html New Size and Colour Ranges from Wavin Plastics Wavin Plastics, the UK's leading supplier of plastic pipe systems and solutions, has expanded its OSMA Soil and Waste portfolio to provide increased compatibility with current waste solutions. Wavin's Solvent Weld Overflow range now includes a 21.5mm system, a new addition to the range of system sizes from Wavin for the efficient removal of overflow water from condensing boilers and cisterns. The system enables direct connection to condensing boilers and provides secure, permanent jointing from products manufactured to industry standard BS EN 1455. Offered by the new system is a comprehensive range of pipes and fittings - 29 in all, including reducer pipes to provide compatibility with other fittings and waste systems. The new Solvent Weld Overflow range is currently available in black, white and grey. Wavin has also added a range of black fittings and pipes to its OSMAWeld Waste system. Already available in grey and white, this comprehensive range of pipe and fittings is being introduced in black for customers needing to connect black ABS waste pipes to black soil stacks. The OsmaWeld Waste System features secure and permanent jointing available in 32mm, 40mm and 50mm diameters. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press8.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:30:30 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press8.html Bosch Extends its Conettix Family of Security- and Fire-Alarm Modules - New Receiver/Gateway Module with Enhanced Communication Features Bosch Security Systems is extending its Conettix family of security- and fire-alarm modules with a communications receiver/gateway module offering enhanced communication features. The new D6100i module supports internet or intranet communications over a Local-Area Network (LAN) or Wide-Area Network (WAN), plus telephone line communications over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Bosch's Conettix family is a complete line of security communication modules for intrusion and fire systems. Designed to provide reliable data transmission over a wide range of transmission paths and formats, the modules transmit security and fire alarms to monitoring centers and users, as well as enabling data up/download for Bosch intrusion and fire panels. They also offer solutions for alarm verification and for two-way audio communication with a control panel. Bosch's new addition to the Conettix family, the D6100i communications receiver/gateway, offers a compact, economical solution well suited to small applications in, for example, gated communities and university campuses. A rising number of such communities are now switching to the use of high-speed Internet or broadband connections for correspondence, shopping and business-data transmission. To address this evolving need, the D6100i upgrades a conventional alarm control panel to use high-speed Internet Protocol (IP) instead of a telephone connection for alarm notification. By using existing internet or intranet structures, the configuration avoids telephone lines and additional telephone service costs. Up to 3,200 accounts for LAN or WAN communications are supported. The system achieves a high level of security of transmission very cost-effectively by means of constant connection monitoring with optional encryption and authentication, including 128-bit AES Rijndael encryption. Other advantages include high transmission speed and low bandwidth requirement. As well as Internet connectivity, the D6100i also features two PSTN analog lines. When used in this configuration, the D6100i uses existing telephone lines. A control panel's signal is transmitted over the LAN/WAN or a PSTN telephone line to the D6100i. The receiver translates the signal to a common data format and sends the signal through Ethernet LAN, WAN or RS-232 connection to a central station automation system which subsequently sends information to operator work stations. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/icynene/press12.html Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:12:12 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/icynene/press12.html Icynene Receives European Accreditation Icynene Inc. is pleased to announce that it has received European Technical Approval for its unique water blown soft foam insulation used in commercial, institutional, industrial and residential buildings for both new construction and retrofit. The certification was carried out over a period of several years at the Finnish accreditation body VTT and ratified in early 2008 by the members of EOTA, the European Organization for Technical Approvals. Icynene will now be able to use the CE mark on its labeling and other printed materials. Icynene soft foam insulation was invented in Canada in 1986 and has air barrier, insulation and acoustical properties. It has been used in many green projects built to the LEED standards of the United States Green Building Council and was used in two of the 'Top Ten Green Buildings' in the United States as selected by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment. In addition Icynene has been used in the American Lung Association 'Health House' program for patients with severe asthma and other respiratory diseases. Icynene currently has licensed distributors in Ireland, France, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Denmark and will have distribution in the UK commencing in late spring 2008. In addition Icynene is available from authorized distributors in the Middle East, Japan, Korea, China and Australia as well as Canada and the United States. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/icynene/press11.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:08:54 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/icynene/press11.html Icynene CPD Talk Accredited by RIBA Icynene Inc. is pleased to announce that it has received CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architects for its talk "Control of Air Leakage - Referencing Part L of the Building Regulations". The 40 minute talk will be offered in all areas of the United Kingdom by qualified building science specialists commencing in March 2008. The talk will offer new perspectives on building design and energy savings based on recent research in building science which has changed our understanding of how buildings actually behave. Energy and moisture flows and the importance of air barrier will be examined along with the background to recent changes in the building regulations in the UK and other countries. As well examples highlighting some common building problems and solutions will be presented. Icynene Inc., based in Canada, is one of the pioneers of the Green movement in North America. Its product, The Icynene Insulation System, is a water blown soft foam, invented in 1986, which is both an air barrier and insulation offering enhanced energy savings, improved indoor air quality and control of condensation and noise. Icynene is currently being introduced to the European market and is available from licensed Icynene Dealers and Distributors around the world. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press2.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:47:45 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press2.html New Video Recording Manager Provides Centralized Management of VoIP Distributed storage enhances reliability and performance of CCTV networks. Bosch Security Systems' new Video Recording Manager (VRM) provides centralized management and monitoring of video servers, cameras and iSCSI storage units within an IP-based CCTV network. Bosch's VRM 1.0 significantly enhances the management of storage capacity by treating storage blocks within the system at the logical or virtual level rather than the physical level. Virtualization of storage blocks allows for complete flexibility and scalability in the allocation of storage throughout the network. Recorded video is distributed over all available iSCSI RAID units on the network, rather than recording on a single storage device directly connected to an NVR. It also provides enhanced data availability with the possibility to automatically re-route video to alternative iSCSI units in the event of an array failure. The iSCSI RAID storage units can, moreover, be located anywhere, either stacked high in a secure centralized IT-managed facility as with conventional NVRs, located in secure cupboards as distributed network-attached storage where they are less vulnerable to a single physical attack, or as direct-attached storage coupled with a Bosch video encoder/decoder. VRM 1.0 also optimizes the use of system resources by keeping track of storage usage per camera and dynamically assigning storage capacity to devices on the basis of demand - for example, reassigning blocks from a camera using, say, only 10% of its allocated capacity to a storage-hungry camera recording at a higher bit rate. To facilitate fast searching, the new VRM provides a search data base for recordings and metadata. The metadata (events, ATM or any other textual data, VCA data) is recorded with the video footage. The data base also keeps track of location of the recording blocks. If this data base is lost, e.g. through data base corruption, the VRM is able to recreate all information by just reading the metadata stored. Under control of the VRM, the encoders are able to directly store data on the iSCSI units in 1GB blocks without routing through a server and without the need of a file system (both of which are potential causes of failure). In addition, using direct block addressing, old information is simply overwritten, not first deleted before new information can be written. This greatly improves system performance for very high bit rate recording, enabling Bosch's iSCSI disk arrays to attain 200Mbps throughput, far exceeding the classical NVR's 70Mbps limit. To further enhance system integrity, VRM 1.0 can be synchronized with a second instance of VRM running in the background on another server to provide backup if the first server should fail. Even if the backup VRM server fails, each iSCSI RAID can continue to record for a further 128GB, corresponding to about 10 camera-days (assuming a 1Mbps camera stream). VRM 1.0 was introduced in Q4, 2007, first as a stand-alone product to replace Bosch's VIDOS-NVR, and in Q1 of 2008 it will be available fully integrated into the Bosch VMS software platform. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press3.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:45:03 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press3.html New Generation Bosch Digital Recorders Mid-range digital video recorders with professional-level performance. With its new Bosch Divar MR Digital Versatile Recorder (DVR), Bosch makes professional-level DVR performance more accessible to everyone. Ease-of-use and powerful functionality go together to create a convenient video management solution. It combines high quality recording with flexible system management including alarm handling, camera control and device checking capability. The Divar MR delivers real-time recording and playback in CIF resolution, as well as high resolution live viewing. 4CIF can also be used for applications where even greater detail is needed. Excellent image quality is complemented by highly efficient MPEG-4 compression, reducing storage space and cost when saving video. Video can be archived to memory devices such as USB sticks or an optional DVD writer. An archive player allows exported video to be played back on any PC without installing additional software. Image authentication means archived video can be used in court. Whether part of an integrated or standalone system, the Divar MR offers trouble-free installation, operation and management. Numerous methods for control and customization include the Bosch IntuiKey keyboard, a mouse, an IR remote control and the unit's front-panel controls, which include a convenient jog dial. In addition, the system includes Divar MR Control Center software for complete remote management of the system including live viewing and control, playback, configuration and remote alarm notification. With Divar MR Control Center all operation and control can be centralized to create a highly scalable video management solution. For added convenience, users can also view live images using Internet Explorer. A host of useful features include instant playback functions, one-touch record, email-on-event, and overwrite protection to keep important recordings safe. Past and present events can be compared easily by viewing live pictures and playback simultaneously. And searching through recorded video is aided by a 'smart search' feature, which automatically looks for changes within a selected part of a scene. The embedded design of the Divar MR offers a higher level of security against network attacks than traditional systems and has a lower maintenance requirement. Divar MR maintains the security of recordings while eliminating the hassle of software patches and anti-virus installs. The Divar MR's integrated architecture is simple to set up and operate. Interface options for various external devices cover both Bosch and third-party PTZ cameras. The Bosch Divar MR family comprises 8 and 16 channel models with a variety of hard drive capacities and, if required, an internal DVD writer. Affordable yet packed with convenient and powerful features, the Divar MR makes an efficient DVR management solution for schools, hotels, apartment buildings, retail premises and many other applications. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press7.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:42:43 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press7.html Employed Successfully by the German Economic Federation for Civil Servants New "Access Personal Edition" access control software from Bosch firmly established in the market. The Access Personal Edition, the new software for access control systems from Bosch, is a modular solution that is perfectly suited for use in small and medium-sized premises, offices, production plants and military facilities. The new software also fits the bill for the German Economic Federation for Civil Servants in Bonn, seamlessly and smoothly meeting its each and every requirement. The access control system from Bosch in operation at the German Economic Federation for Civil Servants comprises Access Personal Edition and three access control panels, along with 16 card readers, which have been seamlessly integrated into the existing intercom system and adapted to its design. The system is used by a total of 150 associates with access rights. Access Personal Edition is the perfect starting point for applications that demand a high level of security, but do not require an extensive and complex access control system. It is based on the intelligent access control hardware platform from Bosch that communicates via the TCP/IP and RS485 protocols, enabling seamless system transition to the Access Engine (ACE) for the Building Integration System from Bosch, which is particularly useful when users want to upgrade the range of functions offered by the access control system. Access Personal Edition also has the added benefit of a favorable price-performance ratio. Ulrich Seidel, account manager at Bosch Security Systems, adds: "This was also decisive for the German Economic Federation for Civil Servants". http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press6.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:30:21 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press6.html Bosch Extends Functionality of DCN System Bosch Security Systems has introduced important extensions to the functionality of its DCN Wireless Discussion System. The wireless discussion units can now be combined with DCN Next Generation wired discussion units to provide an easy and efficient way of adding extra capacity to any wired DCN Next Generation conference facility. Moreover, in addition to discussion and voting facilities, the DCN Wireless system now offers 10-language interpretation capability, enabling participants to follow discussions in their native language via a channel selector on the wireless discussion units. Introduced in 2006, Bosch's DCN Wireless Discussion System has been specially designed for multi-use venues, particularly where rapid set-up and dismantling are needed for different configurations and number of participants. Up to 150 of Bosch's attractively designed table-top discussion units can be quickly placed anywhere and rearranged to suit a change of configuration. The system can be installed, rearranged and operated with virtually no impact on the integrity of a historical location, which means there is no need to worry about damaging antique decoration or affecting the aesthetics of a grand hall. The single Wireless Access Point (WAP) unit, which can be mounted on a wall, ceiling or tripod, has an effective range of 30m, which is usually more than adequate for a conference venue with up to 150 participants, depending on the seating configuration. For connection to a DCN Next Generation Wired Discussion System, Bosch has introduced an upgrade of the existing Wireless Central Control Unit capable of controlling up to 150 wireless and up to 95 wired units. Three new versions of the wireless discussion unit are available. The basic version allows one delegate to talk and listen, a second version is designed for two delegates, while a third version has voting functionality. All three new versions have a built-in channel selector for language selection and all can be easily converted into a chairman unit by adding a 'priority' button and throwing a switch. Discussion units are protected against interference from other devices such as mobile phones or those that use Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® or even microwave signals. The DCN Wireless Discussion System is controlled by Windows®-based congress control software, which is easy to install and to operate. Discussion unit icons in the synoptic control interface are simply assigned to operating functions. The software allows operators to view the status and key functions of each discussion unit. If voting units are used, results can be shown on a large-screen display and logged. Moreover, the software is optimized for touch-screen control with a multi-lingual Graphical User Interface (GUI). The wireless system offers high-level security thanks to Bosch's digital protection technique. This features automatic subscription blocking in which further subscriptions are prevented even if the administrator forgets to close the subscription process. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press5.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:27:05 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press5.html Bosch Expands Professional Series Intrusion Detectors Bosch Security Systems has expanded its line of Professional Series intrusion detectors with two new models that feature the multi-point anti-mask technology with integrated spray detection. This new technology utilizes patented prism lenses and active infrared detection to protect against all known forms of attack, providing superior protection against sabotage. The new detectors comply with the latest worldwide regulatory standards for detection of objects covering or placed in front of the detector. The detectors are sensitive to various materials regardless of texture or color, including fabric, paper, metal, plastic, tape and sprays. As with various other Bosch intrusion detectors, the new Professionals Series with anti-masking can be easily integrated into Bosch's Local Security Network (LSN) bus system. LSN is a freely configurable security bus system that offers a wide choice of intrusion, fire and malfunction detectors, operator units and aiming devices from multiple manufacturers. It also allows automatic component identification, address-assignment support and functional security in the event of cable interruption or short circuit. The new models are an addition to the Professional Series intrusion detectors, which have been used in a variety of commercial and retail applications for nearly two years. The complete line of Professional Series intrusion detectors also features Bosch's Sensor Data Fusion (SDF) technology, which interactively processes data from up to five different sensors. By comparing sensor data, the detectors virtually eliminate false alarms and improve catch performance over traditional motion detectors by 35%. With Bosch's TriFocus optics technology, three custom-engineered lenses provide twice the signal-to-noise ratio of traditional detectors. This enables sharper and brighter images that make it easier for the Professional Series detectors to distinguish intruders from false alarms. Installation time for the detectors is also reduced by up to 25% over traditional detectors through a number of innovative features. These include a built-in level, three optional mounting brackets and a flexible mounting height that allows the detectors to be positioned from two to three meters without adjustment. A self-locking, two-piece enclosure also slides easily into place that keeps mounting time down to a few seconds. A sealed optic chamber provides immunity to drafts and insects, eliminates accidental damage, and improves the durability and reliability of the Professional Series detectors. A cover and wall tamper switch provide an additional level of protection from sabotage. Solid-state relays send silent alarm output signals and are unaffected by an external magnet for a high level of security and reliability. The relays also consume less current than mechanical types, providing longer standby capacity during a power loss. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press4.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:24:56 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/security/bosch-security/press4.html Bosch 500 Series Smoke Detectors Win Readers' Choice award Bosch's 500 Series conventional flush-mount smoke detectors have won a Readers' Choice award from Building Operating Management magazine. The detectors were among the products featured in Building Operating Management magazine throughout 2007 and which readers most often sought additional information about. As a result of winning this award, a special report about the 500 Series smoke detectors will appear in the January 2008 edition of Building Operating Management. The magazine is read by more than 73,000 building owners and executives responsible for four million facilities throughout North America. This is the ninth industry award the 500 Series has won since its introduction in 2005. The 500 Series smoke detectors are mounted flush to the ceiling, so they are virtually invisible. The faceplates of the detectors can also be color-matched to the ceiling with a unique color ring insert system. These features make them ideal for installations where aesthetics are important, such as high-end homes, condos and apartments, as well as museums, historical buildings and corporate lobbies. Their smooth, sealed surfaces and contamination detection capabilities also make them especially effective in areas with high dust levels. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/interior/fagerhult/press8.html Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:39:21 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/interior/fagerhult/press8.html Diesel HQ home to Fagerhults Open Box Open Box, a luminare from Fagerhult Lighting has been installed within Phase 1 of a refurbishment of the headquarters for clothing company Diesel situated in London. The high ceilings and open plan offices required architects Leckenby Associates to find a product that would be unobtrusive but distinctive, provide no glare and suit the contemporary style of the client. The twin 35w suspended pendant Open Box was chosen with the added accessory of an integral pull cord to provide the opportunity of individual switching within the space. Craig Leckenby explains: "We chose the Open Box as it fulfilled all the clients requirements both in its ashtetics and its functionality with the added bonus of a very competitive price for the quality of product. Diesel are very pleased with the end result and the installation has considerably improved the working conditions within their office environment." Fagerhult's Open Box was the winner of the 52nd red dot design awards in 2007 due to its combination of pioneering design, energy efficiency and ergonomics. The luminaire was the vision of Casper Asmussen, Gustav Nord and Filip Sauer who wished to question traditional luminaire design and to consequently design outside the box. "We wanted to create an impression of air and lightness. A luminaire can easily be perceived as enclosed and heavy - as a box suspended from the ceiling. The first step was to open the box," Gustav explained. Open Box has a series of small perforations which enable the inside of the luminaire to be illuminated. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/big-studio/press6.html Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:50:34 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/construct_materials/big-studio/press6.html BIGStudio Announces Numerous and Varying Number of Contracts From impressive glass facades at a top sporting museum to simple features at local schools, BIGStudio Glass Design have done it all, big and small The WOW factor, BIGStudio has gone from strength to strength and boast a remarkable portfolio of clients. The company's entrepreneurial outlook has resulted in the award of many major contracts, beating much larger contenders or international competitors to win such work. Previous jobs have included water features at Canary Wharf, feature screens for the Buzzard oil rig and glass facades for Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. This year BIGStudio have been commissioned to create striking designs for Wimbledon's new Centre Court development in its luxury retail areas, champagne bar and restaurants, including a carved replica of the men's trophy in a large backlit glass wall. Another huge contract BIGStudio have recently won is with a major hotel chain to create bespoke designs for front of house and 400 bedrooms in the flagship development in Westminster. Work will shortly follow for the same chain in Hyde Park, Euston and Tower Bridge, with further hotels being secured in Aberdeen and Newcastle. In February 2008, BIGStudio completed bespoke glass designs for Harvey Nichols in Sloan Street, London, which has resulted in the business becoming named suppliers for the highly regarded brand. Various airport projects have also been undertaken, including glass features at John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport, as well as Elvis Presley designs at Prestwick Airport following his famous two hour stop-over in 1960. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/interior/morgan-lovell Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/interior/morgan-lovell Morgan Lovell Located in London, Birmingham and the Thames Valley, Morgan Lovell is the UK's best known office design, fit out and refurbishment specialist. With our own teams of project managers, designers, surveyors and construction experts, we can design, manage and deliver your entire project, with only one point of contact. Morgan Lovell&squo;s services feature: Refurbishment of an existing office or interior fit out of a new one One point of contact to check every detail Guaranteed on-time and on-budget delivery A design and build approach which is 40% faster and costs up to 15% less Whether our clients are relocating or refurbishing their offices, we manage the whole process - from the initial planning stages all the way through to the move-in day &dash; all in accordance to fixed timescales and costs agreed with the client. OFFICE DESIGN Most businesses want an office that makes a statement. When a client steps through an office door, it should tell them everything they need to know about a company&squo;s culture and ethos. An office space should also inspire, not hinder, an employees&squo; work. It should be the kind of space people look forward to visiting. Morgan Lovell offers: Award-winning office designs that impress and inspire Designs that work in day-to-day life Designs that put a client&squo;s desires first OFFICE FIT OUT Our office fit out service includes everything a client needs to get up and running, from initial building surveys to move-in day, including: Project Management Office design and space planning Building surveying and estimating Interior construction IT and telecoms Furniture procurement and installation Air conditioning, heating and ventilation, plumbing Electrical and cabling Planning permission and landlord liaison Relocation and move management DESIGN AND BUILD Our office fit out and office refurbishment services provide a one-stop-shop for transforming a client&squo;s space into the office they want. By overlapping different stages of the process, we can deliver finished offices faster. As we're surveying a space, we're already starting to draw up designs. And while clients are pondering those, we're already preparing the site. This process is called design and build, and research by the Chartered Institute of Building found that this approach is typically up to 40% faster and 15% cheaper than the traditional way of construction. OFFICE RELOCATION At Morgan Lovell, we've been helping our clients move offices for 30 years. We manage everything &dash; the design, building appraisals, surveying of staff, comparing costs and sorting out schedules. Once a client has found the right space, we'll fit out an office to suit their brand, to a fixed budget. Once work is underway, we'll make sure there's minimum disruption to business. We'll do whatever we can to ensure a smooth transition. Our mechanical and electrical experts will test everything, so clients can move in, switch on and get going. ECO-FRIENDLY OFFICE DESIGN Morgan Lovell is leading the UK when it comes to sustainable office design, fit out and refurbishment. Our award-winning, LEED & BREEAM accredited designers can design an office that's sustainable, inspiring and practical. http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/joinery/champion-door Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/joinery/champion-door Champion Door Fabric fold-up doors are the best alternative for large-scale door locations requiring high-quality heat and noise insulation such as factory sheds, aircraft hangars, harbours and energy storehouses. Champion Door offers a wide variety of fold-up doors which can be designed and manufactured from standardised components according to customer specification. All Champion Door products are extremely dependable and durable, and bear the CE mark as standard. Standing at the forefront of Champion Door&squo;s aircraft hangar door range are the NK2 Double and NK4 Warm models. Their rigid frame construction makes them ideal for large-scale exterior door locations, and thanks to Champion Door&squo;s unique elevating support solution, they can cater for any hangar entrance regardless of width or length. NK2 DOUBLE HANGAR DOORS NK2 Double is a two-ply fold-up door. Due to its rigid frame construction it is excellent for use in locations requiring extremely large exterior doors such as aircraft hangars, harbours and shipyards. Its is ideal for dusty spaces and provides an excellent solution for heavy duty and high-abuse environments such as thermal power stations and raw materials storages. NK2 Double can be manufactured to order in any size without limitations, and can incorporate a large variety of opening systems. NK4 Warm is a variation of the NK2 Hangar door featuring two additional insulation layers for heat and noise dampening purposes. The products feature a variety of safety accessories as standard, including wire guards to stop faulty doors descending, built-in braking and overheating failsafes (manual operation is possible in the event of power failure) and optional impact sensors which can stop a door's descent in the event of it hitting something or someone. An optional photoelectric cell can also be installed, stopping the hangar door if motion is detected within its vicinity. AUTOMATIC FIRE ROLLER DOOR The ideal fire and smoke closer door effectively prevents the spread of fire from one fire compartment to the next. The CDF-E 120 fibreglass- and steel wire-reinforced fabric rolls down from its protective housing in the event of a fire. The fire roller door is used in conjunction with a normal door to maximise fire protection. If necessary, the CDF-E 120 door can be fitted with its own fire alarm centre, as well as smoke and heat sensors or alarms. The door can also be installed close to the sprinkler system. Champion Door Fire, CDF-E 120 has been tested and test-burned in the Technical Research Centre of Finland&squo;s (VTT) laboratories according to the EN 1634-1 fire resistance standard. The product complies with all requirements set for it and exceeds all Class E 120 requirements. The door also complies with Class EW-20 without sprinkler moistening, from a protective distance of 2m. The door&squo;s EW class is 30. The CDF-E 120 fabric&squo;s metal housings are clear galvanised profiled metal that can also be surface treated with different colours (RAL). The rolling fire door CDF-E 120 is particularly well suited to: Shopping centres Museums Airports Hotels Restaurants Nightclubs Parking garages Industrial properties Protection of facades if other buildings are nearby http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/interior/morganlove Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/contractors/interior/morganlove Morgan Lovell PLC http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/Danish Maritime Muse/ Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/Danish Maritime Muse/ Danish Maritime Museum, In 2007, the Danish Maritime Museum, which is housed at Kronborg Castle in Helsingør (Elsinore), held an open competition to design a new building for its extensive historic collection. The Danish architecture firm, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), won with its imaginative proposal for an 'invisible' space. "The Danish Maritime Museum is housed at Kronborg Castle in Helsingør." Kronborg Castle, which was built in 1574, is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on a peninsula jutting out to sea. It is the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet and one of Denmark's biggest tourist attractions. To preserve views from the castle, the new building had height restrictions imposed, so BIG proposed a museum below ground that is both flexible and incorporates the dramatic use of daylight. BIG recognised that creating a new building next to one of Denmark's most important architectural icons required an equal dose of respect and sensitivity but at the same time the firm wanted to design a building that would be outstanding in its own right. DRY-DOCK DESIGN While researching the site, BIG discovered an abandoned concrete dry dock, 150m long, 25m wide and 9m deep. The team knew straightaway that they had found the ideal location for their proposal. However, in order to build the Maritime Museum, the old dry dock needed to be reinforced so that it wouldn't cave in. BIG considered a number of alternatives &dash; either supporting the structure with an added layer of concrete throughout its interior but this would cover its beautiful old concrete walls, or by digging around the dry dock walls and creating supportive rib walls on its exterior, which would be too costly. Finally the firm proposed putting the museum on the periphery of the dry dock walls to reinforce the structure and also to serve as the façade of the new museum. Despite not sticking to the original brief, BIG unanimously won over the competition jury because it was the best-thought-through proposal. The jury believed that the firm demonstrated the best understanding of the sensitivity of the site and the museum's needs and that it would create a world-class maritime museum for Denmark. The new museum will be placed around the dry dock, not in it, preserving the dock as an entirely empty space. Visitors will arrive through a set of descending ramps and a series of bridges will span the dry dock providing them with short cuts to other parts of the museum. An auditorium also serves as a bridge providing direct access from Kronberg Castle to the harbour. The building will provide the Maritime Museum with a continuous 4,000m² exhibition gallery that will feel like the deck of a ship and will house the museum's large collection of paintings, model ships, maritime equipment and sailors' memorabilia. In addition, this space can be transformed quickly and easily into 12 individual galleries of different shapes and sizes and with different lighting for whenever they are needed for special exhibitions and events. "While researching the site for the Danish Maritime Museum, BIG discovered an abandoned concrete dry dock." URBAN SPACE BIG says that it would have been 'architectural suicide' to fill the dry dock and therefore it decided to empty it and make the space an integral part of the museum. It will serve as a centre piece &dash; a new urban space open to the air and will provide the focus of the gallery. BIG says that its vision is to create a lively museum that, not only through its wide ranging programme of exhibitions but also its architecture, could excite people who just happen to wander by as well as those who had travelled far and wide specifically to visit the museum. The dry dock will also be used for a range of outdoor activities, exhibitions and events that will allow the maritime museum to contribute to the cultural life of Helsingør throughout the year. And the museum building will not only house the current collection but also allows for new interactive exhibitions &dash; possible ideas include ship simulators, an interactive map of the world's seas and time-lapse photography showing how ships are built. Construction work will begin in the first quarter of 2009 and it is due to be completed in the first quarter 2012. http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/guangzhou-tv-tower/ Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/guangzhou-tv-tower/ Guangzhou TV and Sightseeing Tower The design for the Guangzhou TV Tower in China was won by Information Based Architecture (IBA) in 2004. Architects Mark Hemel and Barbara Kuit have proposed one of the tallest buildings on the banks of the Pearl River in Guangzhou's Tianhe District, standing at a height of 610m. It is expected that once completed, the tower will have 10,000 visitors daily, especially as the city is playing host to the 2010 Asian Games. The architects aimed to design a free-form tower with a rich and human-like identity that would represent Guangzhou as a vibrant and exciting city. The non-symmetrical form portraying the building 'in movement' has led to nicknaming it 'the supermodel'. "The Guangzhou TV and sightseeing tower is expected to have 10,000 visitors daily." By early 2008, about half of the steel structure had been assembled above the ground. The core had reached 350m and the steel structure 270m, which is about 40m below the actual 'waist' of the building. TV TOWER DESIGN The access to the tower operates on two levels &dash; one as a continuity of the landscape on ground, and another linked to the mass-transit and underground-parking facilities. The base of the tower encompasses a museum, food court, extensive commercial space, and a 600-vehicle parking area. It also stores the infrastructural connections (metro and bus stations) and a pedestrian link to the northern embankment of the river. The core of the television tower consists of a concrete elliptical shaft with a short and long diameter of 15.6m and 18.6m respectively. The more-open structure at the top generates a transparent condition ideal for observation activities, while the denser areas in the waist of the building provide a more intimate experience. The waist of the tower has a 180m-long open-air skywalk for visitors to stroll around and get the feel of the tower's structure and waist line. Above the staircase which begins at 170m and spirals to 200m high, begins the top zone housing technical functions, a two-storey rotating restaurant, a damper and the upper observation levels. A further set of stairs leads to a terraced observation square which rises above the tower's top ring. From the top deck at the level of 460m, the antenna extends another 150m. In total, the building will have 48 steel floors with 37 functional floors divided into five 'climate zones', such as tropical, desert, temperate, providing 42,445m² of multipurpose recreational areas. Each floor has been designed differently with regard to size, exposure, users and events. GUANGZHOU TOWER STRUCTURE The hyperboloid structure is in the form of a twisted and tapering tube. The outer steel-framed structure consists of 24 steel columns with concrete in-fill, a series of 46 oval-shaped rings of different sizes and single-direction diagonals throughout the structure. The form is generated by two ellipses, one at the foundation level and the other at an imaginary horizontal plane just above 450m high. The tightening caused by the rotation between the two ellipses is the reason for the tight 'waist', and is in the form of a twisted rope. One of the main issues that had to be kept in mind regarding the cost was the client's desire to have the tightest waist possible. For every meter the waist is reduced, the cost rises exponentially, because more steel is needed to stiffen this relatively weak part of the tower. Over 40,000t of structural steel (including the mast) will be used for the project. Columns, rings and diagonals form together a web that varies over the section of the tower. The columns are all perfectly straight although they lean over to one direction, giving the tower a dynamic twist. The rings are placed on the far inside of the columns so that they spatially miss each other and are connected off-centre. This makes the inside view to be dominated by the rings, while the view from the outside is dominated by the sloping columns. "The base of the TV tower encompasses a museum, food court and extensive commercial space." All rings have been placed under an angle of 15°, so that an opening is created both for the entrance at the base of the tower, as well as that a sloping deck at the top of the building, offering magnificent views over the city. At the bottom of the tower the columns are 2m in diameter, constructed of 50mm thick plated steel that is bend fully round in 3.7m wide bands that are welded together. At the top of the tower the column diameter is reduced to 1,100mm with a plate thickness of 30mm. A circular core was optimised to an oval in order to fit it within the tightest waist possible. The waist consists of a band between 270m and 300m high, measuring 20.65m × 27.5m from centre to centre column. Hence, taking into account a structural zone of about 3.5m; there was only about 15.6m space across for the core to fit into, excluding tolerances required for movement of the tower. This core is for the lifts, escape stairwell and vertical building services risers. INNOVATION The complex geometry was possible due to parametric associative software, which is capable of generating geometrical and structural models based on a set of variable parameters and link the geometrical data to the analytical and drafting software. The firm has adopted the most advanced technologies in wind engineering and wind tunnel studies based on sectional models with computer stimulation. Using the wind data, a series of performance-based design options were assessed. http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/aberystwyth/ Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/aberystwyth/ Creative Arts Business Units, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, In 2005 the University of Wales Arts Centre at Aberystwyth University developed a plan to produce 16 starter units for small business arts enterprises to encourage commercial enterprise in the area. The project, it was decided, should be constructed as many units, instead of just a single block, on a wooded plot near the main campus. Consequently the project was put forward into a design competition for architects to make suggestions for the innovative project. "Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest and most successful in Wales." Aberystwyth Arts Centre is the largest and most successful in Wales with a turnover of €5.5m a year offering a mix of arts programming, contemporary exhibitions and events for the local area and the wider region. The development of the new Creative Arts Business (CAB) units (10m × 8m × 5m) will enable the centre to develop its role as a focus for the development of creative businesses, products and activity. The objective is to offer a series of business units / studios on the campus of varying and flexible sizes to accommodate a wide range of creative businesses, arts development agencies, artists and craft workers. The mix of businesses will be a unique feature of this development with both new and established occupants interacting to realise their economic and creative potential. Construction work on the project began in 2007. CREATIVE ARTS UNIT DESIGN Heatherwick Studio of King's Cross in London won the competition to design high-tech visually aesthetic, functional and low-cost facilities for 16 start-up arts businesses wishing to locate at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on the University of Wales Aberystwyth campus. The decision was made early on not to spoil the woodland of the site proposed for the project by producing a single block. Instead Heatherwick decided to intersperse eight smaller buildings (80m² each) between the trees. The buildings will basically consist of simple timber frame sheds (produced from sustainable timber), which are then divided down the middle and pulled apart to provide light, ventilation and a shared entrance area for each dual unit. Heatherwick studio researched, developed and ordered a special stainless steel metal cladding / coating system for the buildings. Stainless steel is robust and resistant to corrosion (especially important as Aberystwyth is relatively wet and also a seaside resort) but expensive (although not as expensive as titanium which has been used on various well-known buildings in the past). The cladding metal sourced is the thickness of cooking foil (0.127mm) making it affordable, but easily crinkled. The cladding has no structural rigidity and provides little insulation. These problems of the cladding are overcome during installation by crinkling it in a prearranged manner and then spraying CFC-free insulation foam on the back of the crinkled surface to give the panels the properties of rigidity and insulation. The panelling produced in this way accommodates architectural details such as eaves and windowsills and has a non-uniformity which reflects the woodland leaves and parts of sky in its multi-faceted surface to give a natural multi-hued surface. FINANCE AND CONSTRUCTION The project was funded by support from the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Fund, the Welsh Assembly Government and also Aberystwyth University. "The creative arts buildings will basically consist of simple timber frame sheds." The project management contract was undertaken by Heatherwick Studio Construction (building arm of the design practice). Groundwork / foundations on the 0.9-hectare site were undertaken by E Ll Hughes & Son of Aberystwyth and the prefabricated structures were supplied and installed by Lowfield Timber Frames of Welshpool. RESIDENTS OF THE SCHEME The CAB scheme has already attracted a lot of interest for interested organisations such as Honno Books, and Creu Cymru, the National Development Agency for Theatres and Arts Centres in Wales. In addition three units will be used for the Arts Centre's Artists in Residence scheme, which will offer 12 visual and applied artists the opportunity to develop their work during three-month long residencies (funding provided from the Esme Fairbairn Foundation for artists from the UK and Wales Arts International for overseas artists).