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New Transport Hub Opens With Effortless Automated Access
TORMAX UK has delivered a complete door automation solution for Frostree Ltd at the new Bishop Auckland Bus Station, on behalf of Durham County Council. The installation incorporates a combination of TORMAX iMotion door operators to automate 12 key passenger access points, creating efficient movement from the bus station interior, through to external boarding areas. The installation includes 8 iMotion 2202a single sliding door operators, 2 iMotion 2203 bi-parting door opera


Oxford College Invests In ISO Chemie’s Load Bearing Bracket Support System
ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified for a new sustainable residential development at an Oxford college. The move sees ISO-TOP WINFRAMER ‘TYPE 1’ units being fitted to support and insulate the triple glazed aluminium windows and doors installed at Wolfson College’s new three-storey residential development. When completed in spring next year, the Garden Building will provide 50 high-quality student bedrooms, supported by


Taylor Maxwell Launches Specview To Support Early-Stage Façade Design
Taylor Maxwell, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of brick, façade and timber solutions to the construction industry, has launched SpecView, a new in-house visualisation service that allows architects and specifiers to see how façade materials will look across a full building before they commit to a specification. SpecView combines live visualisation with hands-on guidance from Taylor Maxwell’s brick and masonry specialists. Architects and Main Contractor design teams can bri


Building On The Past - Lessons That Can Be Learned And Applied To Modern Construction
Niall Crosson, Group Technical Director at Ecological Building Systems, draws on 25 years’ industry experience to make the case for ‘Building Better’, learning from vernacular building traditions and applying those principles to contemporary design and specification. Niall Crosson, Group Technical Director at Ecological Building Systems “Long before UK Building Regulations, performance targets or embodied carbon metrics were introduced, buildings were designed around a simple


Style Group Acquired By dormakaba To Support Future Growth
Style Group has been acquired by dormakaba and will become part of the company’s Global Movable Walls business. The acquisition marks an important milestone for Style, strengthening its position for future growth while ensuring complete continuity for customers and partners. For customers, it is very much business as usual. Style will continue to operate under its existing name, with the same experienced team, the same customer contacts and the same commitment to delivering


Engineered vs Solid Wood Flooring: A Practical Guide From Havwoods
From period properties to contemporary apartments, timber flooring remains a firm favourite among homeowners. While solid wood is associated with traditional craftsmanship, engineered constructions are at the forefront due to their compatibility with modern needs and the demands of busy households. Understanding the practical and technical differences between the two is vital to ensure the correct flooring is chosen for the right setting. Anthony Scott, Global Product and Inn


From Conservatory to Kitchen: Transforming a 450-Year-Old Listed Home
Bespoke Stella rooflights bring light and space to Grade II Listed property. When homeowner Helen Vollmer set out to replace an ageing conservatory at Rooks Orchard in Little Wittenham, Oxfordshire, her ambition was to create a stunning new kitchen that would become the heart of her 450-year-old Grade II listed home. Like many conservatories, the existing structure was uncomfortable for much of the year – too hot during the summer and too cold throughout the winter. Despite o


Small Kitchens, Smart Design: Maximising Space With Insight From Life Trade
As urban living continues to shape modern home design, compact kitchens are becoming increasingly common. While smaller footprints can present design challenges, they also create opportunities for retailers, designers and installers to demonstrate the value of intelligent planning and innovative storage solutions. Paul Berryman, Head of Life Trade, says, “Creating a successful small kitchen is no longer simply about fitting everything into a limited space. Today’s consumers e


The New Rules of Decorating With Tiles: Creative Ways to Use Tile Throughout the Home with Tile of Spain
Tiles are no longer confined to kitchen splashbacks and bathroom walls. As homeowners become more confident in their decorating choices, tiles are increasingly being used to introduce colour, texture and personality throughout the home. From statement headboards and decorative bathroom details to tiled furniture and creative laying patterns, today’s interiors are embracing a more imaginative approach to surfaces. Maria D Arráez, Director of Tile of Spain UK, shares the new ru


FP McCann Installs Hollowcore Flooring System At Milton Keynes Care Facility
FP McCann has successfully supplied and installed its prestressed precast hollowcore flooring system for a new care facility currently under construction in Milton Keynes, further demonstrating the benefits of off-site manufactured structural solutions within the healthcare and residential sectors. Located within the modern Brooklands community to the east of the city, the purpose-built Rosebrook Care Home is set to open in 2027. Once complete, the development will provide a


HIMACS Terrazzo Designs Receive Red Dot Design Award 2026
Contemporary terrazzo colours featuring certified recycled content. Five HIMACS Terrazzo colours have been honoured with the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2026 in the Product Design category, one of the world's most respected design distinctions. The award recognises a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional terrazzo aesthetics, combining expressive design with responsible material innovation. The award-winning colours, Terrazzo Ulivo (Q102), Terrazzo Nuvola (Q103), T


KönigZero’s Taj Mahal For Exotic Marble Beauty
Königstone’s KönigZero new Taj Mahal is a stunning, marble‑inspired engineered stone that captures the soft veining and warm, creamy tones of natural stone while offering greater practicality. Designed to echo the elegance of Taj Mahal quartzite, it delivers a refined look with a non‑porous, stain‑resistant finish that won’t absorb spills or require sealing. Easy to clean and simple to maintain, it’s an ideal choice for busy kitchens and living spaces. For anyone who loves th


New Look Column Radiators From Stelrad – Engineered With Italian Design Influence
Leading radiator manufacturer, Stelrad Radiators has introduced an Italian-designed new look, improved range of its popular Column radiators – in both its vertical and horizontal column radiator ranges. With effect from 1st July 2026, the new range will be available through all existing outlets streamlining the existing range, enhancing the performance from Stelrad's Column radiator selection, and strengthening long-term value for purchasers of the range. The most obvious cha


Finish Off A Seamless Shower Design With The Bellagio Hinge
Incorporating hinges into a frameless glass shower door installation for a seamless look is now easy than ever, with Bellagio from CRL, available in eleven on-trend finishes and with a sleek yet high-performing design. Bellagio has a minimalistic and compact design, with a square cornered look that is elegantly modern, its clip on cover plates discreetly hide the screws. Choose from Chrome, Matte Black, Brushed Nickel, Polished Brass, Satin Brass, Gun Metal, Brushed Gun Metal


FP McCann Precast Concrete Vehicle Docking And Insulated Prowall System Installed At New Biggleswade Distribution Hub
FP McCann’s specialist precast concrete installation team is building a multi-vehicle docking and insulated Prowall system on a brand-new commercial and distribution centre in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Principal construction specialist Volker Fitzpatrick is undertaking Phase 3 of Symmetry Park for client Tritax Big Box Developments Ltd. On completion later this year, Warburtons, Britain's largest bakery brand, will take up a cross-docked office and distribution space coverin


Why Cabinet Hardware Is Becoming The ‘Jewellery Of The Kitchen’ With Croft
As homeowners continue to embrace more considered, design-led interiors, the demand for beautifully crafted finishing touches has never been greater. As part of their all-encompassing portfolio, Croft presents its collection of cabinet knobs, pulls and handles, offering homeowners an opportunity to elevate cabinetry through exceptional British craftsmanship and timeless design. Often described as the jewellery of the kitchen, cabinet hardware has become an increasingly import


Style Blends Heritage with High Performance Acoustic Design
Style has delivered a bespoke acoustic solution as part of an extensive CAT B refurbishment of The Pattern Shop, a Grade II listed industrial landmark in Newcastle. Working alongside Overbury, Style installed Autex acoustic products across four floors, introducing high-impact design features that enhance the building’s heritage character while delivering effective acoustic performance for a contemporary workplace accommodating around 600 employees. A defining element of the


West Fraser Publishes 2025 Sustainability Report
West Fraser’s new Sustainability Report showcases the company’s performance in 2025 across a variety of environmental, social, and governance goals and disclosed targets. “Our 2025 Sustainability Report, Building Foundations for the Future, reflects our commitment to transparency and responsible operations - highlighting our progress while identifying priority areas for further action to enhance our ability to succeed in a rapidly changing world” - Sean McLaren, President and


Steel Window Fittings Recognised With SWA’s Associated Award 2026
Steel Window Fittings has won the Associated Award at the 2026 Steel Window Association (SWA) Awards; recognising the company’s pivotal role in supporting with one of the industry’s standout projects. Domestic Project of the Year winner is Westcote Hall in Northampton, a large country house with origins from the 17th century, by The Cotswold Casement Company. Image credit: Pete Helme. Presented at the third annual SWA Awards in London, the accolade highlights the contribu


Power Where History Meets Hospitality
Discreet Outdoor Power Units: Historic courtyards, college quads, and estate grounds are busy public spaces in many of the UK’s towns. Visitors walk through, cafés are bustling, and events run throughout the day. All of this depends on reliable electricity — not domestic supply, but temporary power that can be installed quickly, operate quietly, and handle commercial demand without disrupting the setting. Pop-up power units provide that support. They deliver safe, consistent
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