High-spec showers
George Wimpey's Ropeworks in Manchester has included shower enclosures from Coram Showers in its first phase of more than 100 apartments. The apartments have a 1200 mm × 760 mm shower with twin showerheads. Showers use a number of screens: either the 760 mm Pivot Door with inline panel in chrome finish and plain glass, or a bespoke part-width screen, developed specifically for George Wimpey's design, which creates a walk-in shower. Other designs used include the 900 mm Corner Entry and
the 760 mm Bi-Fold.
Coram Showers
www.coram.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 603
A new wave of taps
Reginox has introduced the Tsunami tap which has a chrome finish and is operated by a single swivel lever. The lever swivels from front to back and side-to-side allowing the user to control the temperature and pressure of the water at one touch. The lever is available in four different colour options – crystal green, crystal clear, crystal blue and wood, as well as the standard chrome.
Reginox
www.reginox.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 604
All hale circular radiators
Developer Aus-Bore Altrincham has specified Jaga Heating Products' Iguana radiators for its Richmond Court apartment scheme in Hale, Cheshire. The circular radiators with their metallic concertina fan effect provide a focal point linking the space between the apartments' open plan kitchens and living rooms.
The Iguana range includes circular and half circular versions as well as straight or curved models incorporating a mirror.
Jaga Heating Products
www.theradiatorfactory.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 605
Quartz work surfaces
Worksurface manufacturer Whitehall has launched Luxore, a range of engineered quartz stone. Comprising natural quartz and polymer resin, the worksurface is non-porous, consistent in colour, highly resistant to heat and chipping and easy to maintain, says the manufacturer. It is available in lengths of up to 3 m.
Whitehall
www.whitehall-uk.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 606
Plasma tv screen
NEC PlasmaSync has launched the 42VP4 plasma screen, which is a 42 in (1067 mm) super-slim model with a screen depth of 89 mm. Its interconnectivity options make it easy to connect to other home entertainment equipment such as video or DVD, or it can be hooked up to a PC or games console. The model is available with optional speakers and a cable management cover to hide connection cables.
NEC PlasmaSync
www.plasmasync.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 607
Carpeting collection
Gaskell Carpets' new Hot Property File showcases its wool-rich carpet collections for the residential sector, including products from standard twists to naturals and such ranges as Palazzo, Natural Life and Fusion. The guide gives designs, qualities and price points and will be regularly updated.
Gaskell Carpets
www.gaskell.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 608
DIY kitchen design
Buyers of the six homes at developer Dickie & Moore's Campsie Grove scheme in Milton-on-Campsie are being given the chance to design their kitchens individually. Kitchen supplier Alno Kitchens has invited buyers to its kitchen design suite in Ayr where CAD is used to create individual layouts using units and appliances from the company's portfolio.
Alno Kitchens
www.alno.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 609
Wirless systems for home
BT is offering wireless systems for home networking and home security. Its BT Voyager 2000 system connects up to 10 computers to one high-speed ADSL broadband connection without wires. Wireless range is up to 50 m indoors. BT Home Monitoring comprises wireless sensors which link to an internet monitoring service.
BT
www.bt.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 610
Space-saving bathrooms
Ratio is a space-saving bathroom range from Fordham that includes sanitaryware, baths, screens and furniture. Bathing options include a 1500 mm × 900 mm shower bath – deeper than a standard bath – accompanied by a matching curved bath screen. A standard length bath, which tapers at the tap end, is also available.
Fordham
www.fordham.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 613
Designer bathroom range
Architect and designer Antonio Citterio is the latest big name to be signed up to create a bathroom range for Hansgrohe, and his Axor Citterio range is characterised by a strong geometric design. Products available include basin and bidet mixers, bath and shower mixers, and the new "showerpipe", comprising a complete exposed system with single lever mixer, diverter, hand shower and pipe curving up to a fixed overhead shower. Finishes available include chrome and platinum. Resin bathtubs and basins will be available later in the year.
Hansgrohe
www.hansgrohe.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 614
What’s the spec?
Goldcrest Homes’ in-house team produced the interior design for its 46-apartment The Angelis in north London. The openplan kitchens contain Schmidt Studio kitchens with a Franke stainless steel sink and mixer tap, AEG oven and hob, and an Electrolux fridge–freezer and dishwasher. Buyers have a range of kitchen colour choices and can choose between ceramic floor tiles or oak laminated wood for the floor. Master bedrooms in the two-bedroom apartments have built-in wardrobes with sliding glass doors by Alco Beldan and an ensuite bathroom with Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware, Hansgrohe fittings and CP Hart folding bath screen. Apartments are also being wired for Secant’s Cardio Home Automation security system, which enables curtains to be opened and closed and heating lighting and security to be programmed by touch key pad before leaving home or by remote control. Project team
Developer and architect: Goldcrest Homes
Contractor: Ellmer Construction
QS: Harrabin consultancy
Structural engineer: Griffiths cleator assoCiates
M&E consulting engineer: waterfield odam & associates Automation system
Cardio
www.cardiouk.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 600 Oven and hob
AEG
www.aeg.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 601 Kitchen units
Schmidt
www.schmidt-cabinets.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 602
Trends
Conservatories didn’t make it into Homes’ league table of top 10 selling optional extras and upgrades, but they are not far off. Conservatory system designer and manufacturer Ultraframe says that their appeal is growing, and the market potential is massive. “Initially, conservatory buyers were A and B socioeconomic groups – often empty nesters – but now interest is spreading down,” says Nick Gale, managing director of the company. “About 90% of conservatory buyers are first-time conservatory buyers, and many younger families are buying them for aspirational reasons and for the practicality of having more space.” The company has researched what its buyers want. “Their only complaint was that they would’ve liked a bigger one,” says Gale. “They see buying a conservatory as buying a slice of light. People are also wanting more choice in contemporary design.” To extend the design capability of its own systems and the usefulness of conservatories, Ultraframe has introduced Conservaglass. The thermal performance and lower solar heat gain of the glazing can increase conservatory usage over the summer by up to 70 hours per month compared with standard double glazing, as overheating is limited. The glazing also has an Easyclean finish to minimise maintenance. Ultraframe
www.ultraframe-conservatories.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 611
An on-tap masseur
www.twyfordbathrooms.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 612
Postscript
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