Environmental Control 2/3

Gilberts Delivers The Low-Down

Gilberts is delivering the low-down on how building services can meet the challenge of the changing office landscape. The drivers of reduced energy costs, creating a healthier working environment and flexible office spaces are combining to see increasing demand for underfloor air distribution (UfAD): up 8% according to market data.

Blue-lit punk musician on a screen, beside a display case with patterned black-and-white wall. Exhibits evoke rebellious mood.

Gilberts' uniquely designed GFS floor swirl diffuser brings new dimensions for designers and users of the internal space. Its performance characteristics mean GFS can help towards WELL, LEED and BREEAM accreditation.

The GFS circulates air from the floor void with no need for direct ducting. As a result, it can be positioned anywhere across the floor plan. And GFS maximises agile offices: all that is needed is repositioning of the diffuser - often just swapping a floor tile - with no need to reconfigure the air circulation paths nor ducting. The patented design enables the choice of horizontal or diagonal (45°) swirling omni-directional or diffused airflow at floor level.

Heating and cooling is quickly and effectively delivered where the occupants are. Excess heat generated by the occupants - people and machines - and airborne pollutants are displaced upwards and out, optimising indoor air quality and comfort. Gilberts has incorporated a volume control damper into the diffuser which regulates the quantity of airflow as required for occupant comfort and doubles as a dirt trap.

The diffuser plate removes easily to facilitate cleaning, adjustment or maintenance. Whilst predominantly used for air supply, GFS can, like all Gilberts’ swirl diffusers, also function as the ventilation extract, further simplifying the design and specification process.

Dave Harding, Gilberts’ Sales & Marketing Director, comments: “The efficiency of UfAD systems - delivering heating and cooling at low level - is established. Our GFS enhances those proven USPs. It gives much greater flexibility over how the occupied space is used, even as that usage changes. It’s a simple consideration to the specification that can have a huge impact on the appeal for owners and tenants.”

Gilberts has a proven track record in supporting creation of stimulating work environments, with projects including the British Music Experience in Liverpool, the F35 flight simulator at BAE Systems in Warton and lecture theatres at University of Lancashire. All of Gilberts' products - standard lines and bespoke solutions - are designed and developed in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001:2015 quality standard in their state-of-the-art 140,000 ft² facility in Blackpool.

The test facility, including an air movement laboratory and specialist CFD and BIM software suites, give customers unrivalled technical support and specification validation. The company is committed to protecting the environment by minimising embodied life cycle carbon in its manufacturing processes and has achieved bronze status in the Supply Chain Sustainability School. https://gilbertsblackpool.com

Waterproofing A Basement Swimming Pool And Cinema In Tunbridge Wells

Newton Specialist Contractor MJ Rooney undertook this extensive basement construction project beneath a period Georgian property in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Working alongside designers from Open Architecture and Croft Structural Engineers, the MJ Rooney team needed to carry out deep and large-scale excavations.

Modern indoor pool with blue water, lounge chairs on the side, and skylights above. The stone walls add to the calm, minimalist ambiance.

This included significantly extending the existing basement beneath the period property and the rear garden, whilst retaining the original structure above with minimal disturbance. The scale of the basement extension included the existing Georgian basement and the area beneath the garden.

Construction workers in front of a large house renovation project, with scaffolding, ladders, and excavated site, under a clear blue sky. — The scale of the basement extension included the existing Georgian basement and the area beneath the garden

Robust Temporary Works

Complex temporary works were designed to support the house on stilts during the excavation. Steel sheet piling was also essential to provide support around the site. However, this wasn’t without its difficulties. The deep excavation works took place within the water table, and restricted site access was problematic for both the piling rig and during the new basement construction. Deep excavations were required into the water table in order to achieve the required depth for the new basement swimming pool.

Empty indoor pool under construction, concrete walls and floor, scaffolding and broom visible. Bright overhead lights, industrial setting. — Deep excavations were required into the water table in order to achieve the required depth for the new basement swimming pool

Project Scope

The large-scale new basement area was to include a swimming pool, leisure area, sauna, steam room, and cinema. All areas therefore needed to be completely dry, defined as a Grade 3 environment by BS 8102:2022. This required a waterproofing design that would account for the specific requirements of the site environment and the structure. The new basement area included a combination of existing underpinned structure and new reinforced concrete.

Construction site with metallic beams, concrete floor, and scaffolding. Workers in safety vests discuss plans under bright, hanging lights. — The new basement area included a combination of existing underpinned structure and new reinforced concrete

The Solution

The primary solution was a full internal cavity drain system utilising Newton's comprehensive CDM System. But first MJ Rooney primed all concrete surfaces with CDM 906 Lime Inhibitor to prevent any ‘free lime’ from affecting the CDM System. CDM 508 membrane was then installed to all walls to capture water. The CDM 520 eco Floor membrane also provided high volume drainage capacity across the floor. A perimeter drainage system using CDM BaseDrain delivers any captured water to a Titan-Pro sump chamber with dual pumps for safe and reliable water removal.

The Result

MJ Rooney’s meticulous approach ensured minimal disruption to the residence while delivering a high-quality, functional new basement in compliance with BS 8102. They also demonstrated their capability by supporting the installation with a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee.

Home theater with grey recliners facing a large screen showing two people near a building. The room has dim lighting and a modern design.

Testimonial

“MJ Rooney were extremely professional in every respect. They completed a first-class construction job. I would recommend and use them again.”

Newton Specialist Contractors

Newton always recommends that it's systems are installed by one of it's nationwide network of Newton Specialist Basement Contractors (NSBCs). All members of the network adhere to strict criteria and are required to demonstrate quality workmanship, resulting in a meaningful scheme that provides unsurpassed technical excellence.

Newton Specialist Contractors can also act as the waterproofing designer on your project, taking on the liability under their professional indemnity insurance. Finally, they also offer insurance backed guarantees to support their installations. For further information on Newton's specialist contractors, please speak with a member of the Newton team. Call 01732 360 095 or email tech@newtonwaterproofing.co.uk www.newtonwaterproofing.co.uk

Acoustic Balcony Glazing For Inner City High Rises

Rethinking urban living: The role of acoustic balcony glazing in inner-city high-rise living

Cities in the UK are becoming taller and noisier. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of households living in a flat, maisonette or apartment increased by 21% to 5.4 million.1 In London, over half of the homes built since 2002 are in high-rise buildings.2

Modern high-rise building with blue glass windows and white facade, framed by green trees under a clear blue sky. No text visible.

While high-rise living may address housing shortages, the quality of life for residents is often impacted by issues such as noise, limited outdoor space and overheating. Architects and specifiers must therefore rethink urban home design to deliver comfort, usability and compliance with building regulations. Solarlux acoustic balcony glazing, for example, offers noise reduction with natural ventilation and solar control glass. Our highly engineered glazing systems maintain openness, daylight and aesthetics, while enhancing comfort and wellbeing in dense urban environments. By redesigning and redefining the role of glazed balconies, Solarlux is leading the way for healthier, more comfortable and sustainable inner-city homes.

The challenge of urban acoustics

Noise isn’t just an inconvenience; it has measurable impacts on health and wellbeing. Sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment and effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health are all linked to prolonged exposure to noise.3

Urban noise comes from many sources. Road, rail and air traffic can be major contributors, along with industrial activity, construction, nightlife, neighbours, home appliances and HVAC equipment. “Despite the increase in quiet-running electric vehicles and urban planning to reduce noise levels, the public perception is that cities are getting noisier,” explains Jeevan Matharu, marketing manager at Solarlux. Nearly two-thirds of Britons living in cities believe their hearing is worse due to noise, and over half believe their environment has become louder in the past five years.4

A 2023 House of Lords report highlighted that around 40% of the UK population is exposed to harmful levels of road traffic noise, resulting in a reduction in healthy life years. “These statistics demonstrate the importance of acoustic insulation when planning high-rise homes,” Matharu explains. “With careful planning and the strategic use of architectural features such as balconies and glazing, architects and designers can create acoustically comfortable urban residences,” she adds.

Acoustic balcony glazing and noise reduction in high-rise flats

Urban noise can restrict the use of balconies and indoor spaces. When balconies and windows are located near sources of noise, they may go underused, reducing fresh air ventilation and residents’ connection with the outdoors.

Modern building with glass balconies and white, black panels set against a clear blue sky with a small cloud, creating a sleek look.

Justin Spires, technical lead at Solarlux, explains how their glazed balconies help address urban noise: “Our high-rise balcony glazing and suspended balcony facades are designed to combat noise pollution effectively. The high degree of prefabrication ensures precise assembly, tight seals and consistent quality, allowing these balconies to create quiet, comfortable outdoor spaces, even in the busiest or loudest city environments.” He also notes that glazed balconies can reduce interior noise levels: “The balcony space can serve as a buffer, reducing the transmission of sound into the home and enhancing the acoustic comfort of interior spaces.”

At the Skytower development in Stuttgart, Germany, noise reduction was a key concern for the building owners. Positioned above busy urban streets, the high-rise apartments required glazed balconies that would provide weather protection while allowing residents to fully utilise the indoor/outdoor space without the constant intrusion of traffic and city noise. The Solarlux SL 25 frameless slide-and-turn system was chosen for the project, due to its flexibility, acoustic performance and aesthetics. The frameless design provided transparent weather protection, preserving daylighting and the open-air feel of the balconies, while also reducing noise from outside. The result is an outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round, along with quieter, more comfortable interiors that support healthier high-rise living.

Overcoming overheating

While we may be focusing on noise, we can’t overlook the challenge of overheating and its relationship to high-rise balcony glazing. While large amounts of glazing have been used in high-rise flats to give residents a sense of space and openness, summer heatwaves are on the rise, and the solar gain from those swathes of glass is making some properties uncomfortable for days or weeks at a time. Research from the Met Office shows that the number of days with temperatures above 30°C has more than tripled in the last decade, and that trend is expected to continue.5

Modern high-rise building with a grid pattern of windows. Sunlight reflects off glass against a clear blue sky, conveying a sleek urban vibe.

High-rise apartments, particularly those with south- and west-facing elevations, are especially vulnerable to overheating. Matharu explains: “The growing risk of overheating in homes prompted the introduction of Approved Document O (Overheating) and revisions to Approved Document F (Ventilation) in June 2022, placing greater emphasis on passive cooling measures, controlled solar gain and natural ventilation.”

Approved Document O recognises that noise and pollution can limit the use of open windows in dense urban areas, so carefully designed glazing and balcony systems are critical for ensuring both comfort and compliance. “At Solarlux, we can address these challenges through a combination of ventilated balcony systems and advanced glass treatments,” she adds. “Moveable panels and integrated ventilation allow for controlled airflow, enabling passive cooling without compromising acoustic protection. In addition, solar-control or low-emissivity (low-E) glass can be specified to reduce solar gain by reflecting or absorbing a portion of the incoming heat while maintaining natural daylight and views,” she explains.

Specifying acoustic balcony glazing

For architects and specifiers, acoustic balcony glazing can help shape the quality of urban living. Effective specification of inner-city glazing solutions requires balancing sound reduction with weather resistance, thermal comfort, ventilation and aesthetics. Spires points out that “Solarlux noise-reducing balcony systems can reduce intrusive city noise by 20–30 dB.” With a typical city street measuring around 70–75 dB, this level of sound reduction reduces the noise level from outside to 40–45 dB – roughly the volume of a quiet conversation. “The acoustic performance of our glazed balconies has been verified with independent laboratory testing in accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2 and BS EN ISO 717-1,” he adds.

Solarlux glazed balcony systems also support thermal comfort, passive ventilation and solar control in line with Approved Documents L, F and O. We offer bespoke options for glazing types, opening mechanisms and integration into balcony structures, with units that can be prefabricated or assembled on-site.This flexibility helps support compliance, enhances comfort and demonstrates how acoustic balcony glazing can create more desirable inner-city homes. For more information about our high-rise acoustic solutions, contact Solarlux for specification guidance or a CPD. https://solarlux.com/en