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An Aberdeen development by Malcolm Allan Housing recently benefited from the installation of Crown Rafter Roll 32 from Knauf Insulation which will thermally and acoustically insulate all the pitched roofing. An unfaced semi-rigid roll of glass mineral wool, the product boasts extra high thermal performance, with a thermal conductivity of 0.032W/mk. It allows water vapour to pass freely through it, for building breathability, whilst effectively absorbing sound to the required levels. It can be used as a single or double layer between rafters, or as the first layer of a two layer system. MA Housing has friction fitted its roofs with the product, filling the rafter spacing and eliminating air gaps.

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When a major refurbishment programme began at Manchester University the Mathematics School turned to modular building provider Portakabin for an interim accommodation solution. Following the demolition of the old Maths building, it was estimated that it would take three years to construct the new building. As a result the school required a temporary building to provide a productive working and learning environment for staff and students alike. Martin Renshaw, of the University, said: 'We needed to ensure the building offered a high standard of accommodation, as it would be on site for three years. For some undergraduates it would be their base for their entire degree course. The Ultima building provides a high quality working environment and enabled us to create the large open-plan, column-free space we needed.'

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Vincent Timber has added European 'Sweet Chestnut' to its fast expanding range of cladding options. The company cited it as 'durable as Oak and offering many of the benefits attributed to traditional hardwood'. The product has already been extensively used on the Lighthouse (pictured), the Zero Carbon house at the BRE & Innovations Park. When left untreated, Sweet Chestnut will mature to a silvery texture, making it an ideal cladding option for architects looking for longevity. It is also around 20% lighter than Oak.

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An energy efficient own-home build has benefitted from Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS) from Unico. The system consists of a foam core sandwiched between two layers of wood which can reduce energy costs by up to 70%, allowing equipment to be significantly reduced in size. Furthermore, the glass central atrium, which supports and indoor 'jungle', is designed for passive solar heating.

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Southdale Homes, the the North's largest social housing developer, has selected Forticrete as its sole supplier of cast stone products in a move to significantly reduce breakages on site. Andy Trowell, Purchasing Manager at Southdale Homes, said: 'Cast stone as a building material is susceptible to breakage and damage on site because of the drying-out time the product requires to reach full strength. Since switching to Forticrete we have reduced breakages on site, saving money and time.'

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As part of a major refurbishment of Manchester's inner city centre, Hanson bricks have been used on Two Piccadilly Place, a 57,000 square foot multi-faceted development of a former brownfield site. Hanson's Albinoni and Midnight Blue bricks were specified to provide the calming effect needed to balance with the busy interchange of pedestrian and vehicular flow. This effect has been achieved by restricting the use of external materials to the Albinoni, a cream coloured smooth modular brick featuring capless glazing. This simple detailing uses a limited palette of building materials, further reflecting simplicity and restraint.

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Wiring accossories from Hamilton Litestat's Hartland range have been used in a development of classical Georgian country homes at Ide Hill Park, Kent. Ide Hill Park is a parkland estate of eight country residences. To help create a contemporary twist in the traditional styled homes, housebuilder Millgate Homes specified the Hartland wiring accessory plates in a bright chrome finish. By featuring white inserts, the company says the plates offer 'the desired opulence which suites the up-market image of this exquisite project.'

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Allround System scaffolding from Layher has been used on the Edinburgh University refurbishment project. The installation on the Reed School of Music has comprised a facade scaffold constructed from Layher Allround and the company's Keder temporary roofing system. The scaffold ran to a total height of 22 meters.

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CEMEX has supplied its ReadyFloor Beam and Block flooring system for the refurbishment of an old Welsh theatre. The Arad Goch Theatre Company needed a new premises. So when an adjacent building became available, a project to develop a contemporary theatre began. ReadyFloor pre-stressed concrete beams were used during the project.

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Fleet Hall Contractors has joined forces with Granta Housing Society and Dulux Trade to return the award winning Queensway Flats in Cambridge to its former glory. The flats original vivid colour scheme has been restored with the help of Dulux Trade's colour services. Dulux was tasked with matching the exact colours using its paint analysis facility. By taking colour samples the company individually re-created each colour to the housing society's precise specification and original colour tone.

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