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Dozens of trees have been preserved at a major new building project at the University of Ulster, thanks to an innovative retaining wall from Anchor Wall Systems (AWS). The near vertical Anchor "Vertica" is a dry built, segmental system made up of concrete facing block that usually works together with geo-grids and back-fill

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Lightweight fibre cement decorative cladding from Marley Eternit has helped Artlab Architects win an award for their collegiate hub and flexible learning centre in Kent. Marley Eternit's Natura panels, which are low maintenance and Class 0 resistant to fire, were used in a planking effect of varying depths on the curved facade and on a battered wall at New Brompton College in Gillingham. .

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Lightweight fibre cement decorative cladding from Marley Eternit has helped Artlab Architects win an award for their collegiate hub and flexible learning centre in Kent. Marley Eternit's Natura panels, which are low maintenance and Class 0 resistant to fire, were used in a planking effect of varying depths on the curved facade and on a battered wall at New Brompton College in Gillingham. .

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Simpson Strong-Tie have become the first company to deliver all engineered timber connectors next day as standard. In addition, the newly launched Engineered Timber Division provides a team of professionals who will be giving in-depth training and brand new product development in addition to market-leading levels of customer service. Richard Jarvis at Simpson Strong-Tie said: "We listened to customers who told us that next day delivery would significantly help their time dependant business.

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The entrance to the Students Union building at Loughborough University was put together in just five days, thanks to Polysteel Insulating Concrete Formwork. The system consists of simple forms of dense, rigid, expanded polystyrene (EPS) held together with steel reinforcement ties and put together following a tongue and groove design. "

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The Ancon ST1 wall tie is now available in five lengths to suit cavaties from 50mm to 150mm. In its longest length, 300mm, the ST1 is ideal for cavities of 150mm. This tie allows for additional embedment in the inner leaf to help keep the tie horizontal during build, which can be difficult to achieve with a 275mm tie installed at standard embedment. As a Type 1 Heavy Duty Tie to BS5628-1 (2005), a British Standard which classifies ties according to their strength and function, the ST1 can be used with any building in the British isles.

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ll enclosures in the Freedom range from Roman offer minimal bright silver framing with clear glass. The key feature for these products is the option of integrated water delivery. The range offers walk-in enclosures, which eliminate awkward doors and handles that can prove such a problem for arthritis sufferers. Products in the range include Freedom Colossus - a bath replacement style walk-in featuring one-piece curved glass, Freedom Roam - a walk-in style enclosure with a hinged deflector panel that allows the showering area to fully open up and Freedom Arc- a stylish curved enclosure which gives a contemporary shape for the corner situation. All Roman enclosures come complete with low-level trays that are manufactured from a solid surface material. .

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A carbon neutral plasterboard from Knauf Drywall has been launched as part of the company's environmental initiative. The Knauf Futurepanel combines sound and fire resistance with 'green' credentials. It is a 10kg/m board with a core made from at least 10% recycled gypsum. The liners are made from 100% recycled paper.

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West Lothian Council has specified Crown Trade Timinox for the internal redecoration of 28 apartment blocks within the Scottish District. The flame retardant paints were chosen for the project for their high performance characteristics and for durability and wide colour range, which meant that residents would benefit from a safe and attractive living environment. The walls and ceilings of the stairwells were painted in Crown Trade Timonox Acrylic Eggshell. In addition to the work carried out in the apartment blocks, West Lothian Council had previously used Crown Trade products on a number of other projects, including the redecoration of the stairs and public areas of Blackness Castle, a Grade II listed building, near Linlithgow.

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Two Kubota mini excavators have been used to maintain mountainside footpaths in the Snowdonia National Park. The 1.6 tonne KX41-3 machines were fixed with several Kubota attachments including 12, 24 and 39 inch wide buckets and rock breaker. They are fitted with variable tracks to allow the operator to reduce their width from 1300 to 990mm in narrow and restricted areas.

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