Current Issue
Bespoke oak by Clearview Secondary Glazing
Clearview Secondary Glazing have just installed this bespoke made oak secondary glazing for Sheffield University’s landmark building Firth Hall.
Named after Sheffield steel manufacturer Mark Firth, Firth Hall is a listed building with impressive period features and is a popular venue for civic functions, university events and weddings.
Roofing pavilion returns to Ecobuild
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) will be returning to Ecobuild from 3rd – 5th March to host the Roofing Pavilion for the second year running.
Following the success of last year, the Pavilion has increased in size and will feature more of its Supplier Members (Manufacturers, Merchants and Service Providers). It will be supported by 22 companies surrounding an NFRC networking lounge.
Fire Doors in Church and Heritage Buildings
The introduction of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 re-emphasised the need for adequate fire safety measures in older buildings and those of special interest.
Already, there was a significant level of awareness that standards of fire compartmentation in Heritage buildings may not be adequate for many varied reasons. Indeed with particular regard to fire doors, English Heritage produced the 1997 guide ‘Timber panelled doors and fire’.
Induction Loop Systems for churches
Since October 2004, Induction Loops have been mandatory in all public buildings - including Places of Worship. They are used to transmit clear sound, without the need for wires, to hearing aid users.
A correctly designed Induction Loop System produces a crystal clear sound through the whole of the seated area of the venue without the necessity for the user to take any action, apart from moving a switch on their hearing aid. Hearing Aid users can sit anywhere and hear perfectly without either background noise from other people or any other interference.
New acoustics at Cathedral House, Huddersfield
At Cathedral House in Huddersfield, ISCE members, St Albans based RK Sound Engineering Ltd were contracted to advise on the acoustic treatment of the main auditorium.
The treatments they specified were adopted and the outcome is that the acoustic performance is entirely in line with the predicted performance and the musicians and users of the hall are very satisfied with the acoustic characteristics.
Partnership approach with English Heritage Access Audits for Listed Buildings
Ian Street, MD of About Access explains how they work with old buildings and churches to promote access for all.
Our work for English Heritage demonstrated our expertise in conducting audits of historic buildings – some of them more than 700 years old.
Read more: Partnership approach with English Heritage Access Audits for Listed Buildings
Promoting technical excellence
Any architecturally or acoustically demanding building which requires sound or communication systems needs input from experienced audio specialists to ensure the right products and design input are incorporated into a new or upgraded system.
The Institute of Sound, Communications & Visual Engineers (ISCVE) is a specialist learned society and professional body for sound and communications engineers. Founded in 1948, it is an entirely independent Institute, run by a Council elected by its members. Members maintain a code of conduct in professional activities, embodying high ethical standards and concern for the environmental and sociological impacts of professional activities.
St Paul's marks Disabled Access Day with a series of tours and events
People of all ages and with disabilities of any kind are being encouraged to visit St Paul's this January, as the Cathedral takes part in Disabled Access Day.
On the first day of its kind in the UK, landmarks, venues and attractions, including St Paul's, put on special events and tours for children and adults throughout the day on Saturday 17 January.
Read more: St Paul's marks Disabled Access Day with a series of tours and events
Praise for new historic lighting at the Tower of London
The Royal Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London is an historically important place of worship that is also visited by many tourists. Recently a refurbishment programme was completed. A key element of this project was improving the chapel’s lighting - important not only for its practical and its aesthetic qualities, but to reduce energy usage too.
Heritage lighting specialist Dernier & Hamlyn, working with lighting designer Bruce Kirk of Light Perceptions, produced nine chandeliers that were carefully designed, engineered and manufactured to meet all of the requirements.
Read more: Praise for new historic lighting at the Tower of London
Projects highlight range of skills from Design Glass
From their Yorkshire workshop, Design Glass design, build and install all types of decorative glass - from a small front door panel to the largest of stained glass ceilings. From restoration and conservation, to new work - whether modern or traditional - they can accommodate any size of project.
Two very different examples of their work are evident in projects at Durham Castle and Liverpool Library.
Read more: Projects highlight range of skills from Design Glass
ISCE announces seminars for ISCEx2015
With its relocation to Coombe Abbey Hotel in Warwickshire for next year’s Exhibition and Networking Dinner, the ISCE (Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers) has announced a formidable programme of seminars to coincide.
The event, which takes place over two days (March 3-4) with a Networking Dinner as its curtain raiser on day 1 and the exhibition on day 2, continues to expand. “This is one of the reasons we have upgraded the location this year to this luxurious four-star country house hotel,” says Secretariat Manager, Ros Wigmore.
Complex conservation to Grade 1 listed Shropshire church
Acting as principal contractor, Recclesia Ltd successfully completed a highly complex and much celebrated scheme of conservation work to both the masonry and the medieval stained glass of the Chancel at the Grade 1 listed St John the Baptist Church at Kinlet - one of Shropshire's most outstanding church buildings.
Read more: Complex conservation to Grade 1 listed Shropshire church
Consolidation and repair of a heather-thatched barn
The consolidation and repair of a heather-thatched barn has won both the Regional and National Heritage category of the Constructing Excellence Awards 2014.
The Black Barn at Tow House, is a small heather thatched cruck-framed building of the early 18th century, a rare survivor of a widespread vernacular building type in the North of England where heather thatch was a predominant roofing material in the uplands.
The barn is a rectangular structure about 12.0 x 5.4 metres externally with walls of roughly coursed sandstone 500-600mm thick and standing about 2.0m tall at the eaves. The South East gable also in stone rises steeply to an apex approximately 5.3m from the ground. The North West gable reflects a reduction in length at the beginning of the 20th century and is built in English Garden bond 225mm brickwork toothed into the stone side walls.
Read more: Consolidation and repair of a heather-thatched barn
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