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Projects

Altro Illustra adhesive-free flooring was the perfect choice for JDD Furniture’s full refurbishment of its flagship showroom. The Birmingham-based manufacturer of hand-crafted, meticulously-executed workspace furniture was looking for flooring with strong aesthetics, performance, flexibility and sustainability credentials for its Birmingham Jewellery Quarter showroom where it flies the flag for local, British manufacture and thoughtful, useful design.


Modern lounge with pink and maroon seating, a small table, and a lamp. Vertical LED lights on wall, sleek and calming atmosphere.

Joe Duffell of JDD says: “After 12 years in the Jewellery Quarter it was time to breathe new life into our flagship showroom with a full refurb. Altro adhesive-free flooring allows us to keep things fresh moving forward as we can change layouts without worry of damage and it gives our furniture the best possible platform."


“We chose Altro Illustra adhesive-free for its versatility and hard-wearing attributes. The natural visual textures complement the hand-crafted wooden structures we use to provide a soft, warm and welcoming feel to all our products. “Environmental preservation is at the core of everything we do, from concept to creation. We source our materials locally and sustainably, and we recycle as much as possible. Part of the appeal of Altro Illustra adhesive-free is that the materials are sourced from and the floor is made in Europe.”


Pink and red seating with a round white table, black lamp, and plants in a cozy room. Walls have pink, cylindrical panels.

Sarah Jennings from Altro worked with JDD on product selection. “With this being a showroom, we realised that what was going to be installed would likely be changed quicker than the intended life span of 15 years so the brilliant thing about the Altro Illustra adhesive-free is that when this time came, we could uplift it, potentially re-use but definitely recycle via the Recofloor scheme."


“Looking to design, Altro Illustra adhesive-free is available in three distinct pattern groups with visual textures to bring depth to designs: natural stones, modern textiles and muted minerals. These designs offer a harmonious blend of style and functionality with nature-inspired textures and softness to help create and enhance feeling of wellbeing within spaces, so were ideal for the JDD showroom."


Modern lounge with pink and red seating, a white table, lamp, stools, and plant. Curtains and enclosed booth in background create a cozy vibe.

“As the product is not stuck down this allowed for a quicker initial install along with future proofing for when the floor is replaced as there’s practically no prep work and the new flooring can be laid very quickly meaning that the showroom can open up again a lot quicker. Also, the space has high ceilings so the acoustic backing, which provides a 14dB impact sound reduction, was a great added benefit.”


Brown upholstered office pod with a cushioned seat and a white desk, set on a beige floor. The design is modern and minimalist.

As Altro adhesive-free floors require no adhesive and no DPM, there is an immediate reduction of embodied carbon by avoiding these elements. Up to 50% saving is based on compared CO2 data for Altro Illustra adhesive-free against a typical 2mm adhered vinyl floor that uses applied damp proof membrane. In addition to its sustainability, style and safety features, Altro Illustra offers easy maintenance and durability, incorporating Altro Easyclean™ technology.


The floor is designed to withstand heavy foot traffic and resist stains, making it suitable for busy environments, and reducing the likelihood of maintenance and cleaning issues. Find out more about Altro’s adhesive-free flooring solutions here:

The new £33m National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in Harwell, Oxfordshire, is a landmark laboratory created to drive quantum technologies for the future. Not only is the facility state-of-the-art in terms of technology but also in design. Rated BREEAM Excellent, architects Hawkins\Brown has conceived a dynamic and versatile work environment designed to deliver transformative results.


Two people sit at a table with laptops in a bright, modern office with yellow seating, green plants, and overhead black lights.

At the building’s heart are non-laboratory spaces full of open-plan areas for collaborative working, interaction and innovation. These are centred around a high linear atrium and link off to adjacent laboratories and the 12 quantum computers. At every stage of the design and specification, careful thought and diligence was given to the choice of materials, ensuring that the building uses products which minimise its carbon footprint, harness natural energy and provide a calm and inviting space for its users. To control sound reverberation from the open areas and hard surfaces,


Modern office lounge with green sofa, round table, and stools. Sunlit space with green blinds, plant on table, and beige walls.

Troldtekt’s wood wool acoustic panels were specified as floating clouds above the open break-out spaces and within the meeting rooms. These effectively maintain acoustic levels, leading to a more productive environment and promoting a healthy indoor climate. Troldtekt’s wood wool acoustic panels are Cradle to Cradle Certified® at Gold level and manufactured using wood from certified forests (PEFC/09-31-030 and FSC®C115450), positively contributing to a building’s BREEAM, WELL or LEED points. Panels can also be manufactured with FUTURECEM® which achieves an approx. 30 per cent lower carbon footprint than that of Troldtekt based on white cement.


Two people sit at a table in a modern, sunlit office. They're surrounded by yellow chairs, plants, and soft wooden accents.

Modern conference room with a wooden table, gray chairs, a wall-mounted screen displaying instructions, and a blurred person walking outside.

Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively. Available in a wide variety of different structures and colours, they combine optimal sound absorption with an award-winning design. The Troldtekt range has a minimum expected life cycle of 50 years coupled with excellent resistance to humidity and tested to meet ball impact standards. Panels can be supplied as natural wood, unpainted based on FUTURECEM™ offering a reduced carbon footprint or finished in almost any RAL or NCS colour. Samples, case studies and technical guidance are available from www.troldtekt.co.uk or see Troldtekt's product listings on NBS (https://bit.ly/3vxoTfq) or Material Bank (www.materialbank.eu).

Located in London, a charming townhouse has been thoughtfully transformed by Emily and Hugh, the creative duo behind the popular Instagram account @ourlondonlittlelife. Known for sharing snapshots of everyday life and the renovation of their characterful home, the couple took on one of their most ambitious DIY projects yet - the installation of an electrical floor heating system and a terracotta herringbone-tiled floor in their kitchen and dining space.


Charming London Townhouse Gets A Warm Update With Schlüter Solutions

With a hands-on approach to renovating their forever home, they were keen to add both style and substance to this area. The result was a stunning and cosy space brought to life with the help of Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-DUO Peel & Stick, installed entirely by the couple themselves.


The project involved upgrading a 22sqm open plan kitchen and dining area, laid over an insulated concrete base. Wanting to maximise comfort without compromising floor height or design aesthetic, the couple turned to Schlüter's innovative Peel & Stick underfloor heating system.


"Luckily the space was fairly rectangular which meant adding the DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS was super simple," they explained. "We couldn't believe how quick and easy it was to stick down - we just made sure to prime the surface first for a secure bond."


After preparing the surface, the DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS membrane was rolled out and adhered in a matter of minutes. The studded structure of the mat made cable insertion straightforward, allowing them to lay out a precise, even heating plan throughout the space.


Charming London Townhouse Gets A Warm Update With Schlüter Solutions

"The heating cable slotted in perfectly, and we were able to install everything in less than a day," they added. "This was our first time doing anything like this - laying underfloor heating and tiling a floor ourselves - and it was surprisingly smooth thanks to the Schlüter-Systems video tutorials, which were so helpful and made the install process much easier."


To finish the project, the couple chose herringbone terracotta tiles - a classic, durable option that suits the natural feel of their home. DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS was a great fit thanks to its low build-up height and built-in thermal break, making it ideal for homes which may be impacted by space and height restrictions, and preserving original features is important.


As passionate renovators documenting every step of their home's journey online, Emily and Hugh are no strangers to making design decisions that balance practicality with personality. This Schlüter underfloor heating installation has enhanced the comfort of their kitchen and highlights how, with the right tools and guidance, high-quality results can be achieved.


Now, their kitchen and dining area is not just a beautifully tiled space - it's a warm, welcoming hub they get to call home. "We couldn't be happier with the result," they say. "It's added a level of comfort and luxury we didn't realise we were missing - and we did it all ourselves!"

For further information, call 01530 813396 or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk

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