18 feature product focus
Ergonomic designs that are visually appealing and inclusive
Be-Line ® grab bars and
shower seats provide
discreet support for users
accessibility: towards a
more design-led approach
The design brief for accessible washrooms has always focused
on creating a strong visual contrast. However, more recently
design trends have focussed on erasing the medical
and institutional aspects of accessible bathrooms.
For toilets and showers, the new generation
of accessible products pays attention to comfort
and well-being. Ergonomics and material
choice is also carefully considered to
appeal to private individuals and
those responsible for public facilities.
Be-Line®: designed to please
The Be-Line® range of grab
bars and lift-up shower seats is
no exception, creating a neutral
environment which is discreet,
non-stigmatising, aesthetically-pleasing
and comfortable. Every user feels more
at ease, whether able-bodied or fully
dependent on a carer.
The Be-Line® aluminium grab bars have
an ergonomic design which prevents rotation,
allowing a firm, natural hold. If the profile is
too angular, the hand cannot grasp the bar
properly. Similarly, if the diameter is too small
ENQUIRIES VISIT www.abcd-info.co.uk EMAIL korucirculation@gmail.com POST use address card
HN201
or too large, the forearm muscle is activated rather than
the shoulder muscle, placing unnecessary strain on the user.
Furthermore, the sleek, stylish form is easy to keep clean,
ensuring good hygiene standards.
Safety first
Be-Line® shower seats are also designed to improve hygiene.
Their simple, clean lines have no niches where bacteria and dirt
can build-up. The seat profile allows soapy water to drain away,
preventing pooling which encourages bacterial growth and
provides a slip hazard.
When lowered, the folding shower seat is supportive,
and its clean lines make it discreet, allowing it to blend into its
environment when raised. It can easily be removed and replaced
by a shower shelf – practical for those places where a swift change-
over is required, for example in hotels or hospitals.
Adapted washrooms in non-domestic environments no longer
need to compromise on aesthetics. It is possible to incorporate
stylish designs that will withstand intensive use while upholding
user safety and hygiene standards. In environments subject to
intensive use, attractive products and well-maintained fixtures are
more likely to elicit respect from users. There is no compromise on
functionality or ergonomics, ensuring safety and promoting user
well-being.
www.delabie.com
Schöck thermal
breaks and new dowels
for major Swansea
office development
A major new high-tech office development in
Swansea city centre is fast taking shape. The five-
storey building, known as 71/72 Kingsway, is a
carbon-zero development with two underground
levels. It is part of a major transformation of the
area and will provide 114,000 square feet of
flexible co-working and networking office
opportunities for 600 jobs in the innovative tech,
digital and creative sector businesses.
A major new high-tech office development in
Swansea city centre is fast taking shape.
The five-storey building, known as 71/72
Kingsway, is a carbon-zero development
with two underground levels. It is part of a
major transformation of the area and will
provide 114,000 square feet of flexible co-
working and networking office opportunities
for 600 jobs in the innovative tech, digital
and creative sector businesses. The offices
will feature state-of-the-art digital
connectivity and integration with smart city
technology, conference and meeting
facilities. Balconies, a green rooftop terrace
and atriums are also incorporated. The
building detail required thermal insulation of
the highest standard, along with high-
performance expansion joints. With its
comprehensive range of structural thermal
breaks and the new Stacon dowel product,
Schöck was ideally placed to meet the
necessary requirements.
HN8
The Isokorb T type K and XT type K in position
The 7172 Kingsway project street view. Courtesy of Architecture 00
There were technical challenges though
The main issue was the retaining wall in the
basement and ground floor area, which put
axial pressure onto the structural Isokorb
thermal break elements. As a result, it was
necessary to calculate both the compression
from this force and the moment resistance
based on the residual capacity of the in-situ
thermal breaks. At the second and third
floors, the placement of the column grid was
unconventional and converse to the usual
external-to-internal arrangement. So the
elements were in effect installed in the
opposite direction to what would normally be
anticipated. To combat any effects of
thermal bridging throughout the RC
construction, namely heat loss, damp and
mould formation, a variety of Isokorb
thermal break types were incorporated.
Those most extensively used though are the
T type K and the XT type K. Both are load-
bearing thermal break elements for concrete
The Stacon SLD in position
cantilevered balcony construction,
transferring moments and shear forces.
They have 80mm and 120mm insulation
thickness respectively.
New Stacon dowels used for the first time
There were a number of large beam forces to
transfer on the upper levels and the newly
launched Schöck Stacon dowels were used for
the first time in the UK. This new dowel, the
type SLD, is really compact and as the
anchoring bodies have been reduced in size, it
has the advantage of enabling higher loads to
be installed in thinner slabs and walls,
optimising on-site reinforcement. Stacon has
been awarded UK Technical Assessment
(UKTA) along with fire protection classification
R 120. It is fully supported with Scalix design
software too, the first web-based application
for the design of shear dowels.
A dependable and fully compliant
product range
The Schöck Isokorb range of structural
thermal break solutions is the largest in
Europe and in the UK helps projects meet full
compliance with the necessary Building
Regulations. In addition to the Isokorb type
used on this project, there are also solutions
for concrete-to-steel, steel-to-steel,
renovation projects – and even a
maintenance free alternative to wrapped
parapets. All products have the security of
independent BBA Certification, which
provides NHBC approval.
Contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or for
full details of the Isokorb and Stacon
products visit the solutions page on the
website at www.schoeck.com/en/solutions
Nordic Copper –
the inside story
We have seen a dramatic change from copper’s traditional place
in roofing historic buildings to a thoroughly modern external
skin for contemporary architecture. But its role as an interior
surfacing material is growing as well, with a surprising
diversity of natural colours, patterns and textures.

Nordic Brass perforated ceiling and expanded brise-soleil Examples of Nordic Décor Surfaces

Copper and its alloys – such as brass and
bronze – enjoy a long heritage as the metals
of choice for interior design, contributing a
distinctive tactility to door furniture and
handrails, and a visual richness to lighting
and other fittings, championed by leading
designers. But, increasingly, they are being
applied as high-quality finishes for walls,
doors, ceilings, stairs and elevators, highlight
surfaces, bars and counters, exploiting the
materials’ unique performance
characteristics.
Safe Surfaces
Particularly important today, copper’s
inherent antimicrobial qualities make it ideal
for touch surfaces. It is also non-toxic and
safe to handle, as well as non-brittle and
predictable to work. With a melting point of
1083˚C and ‘A1 (non-combustible material)’
fire classification to EN 13501-1, copper is
inherently fire-safe and, therefore, rated
‘Class 0’ surface spread of flame, making it
suitable for wall and ceiling surfaces in all
areas. But there is more to architectural
copper than meets the eye, particularly in
terms of recyclability, sustainability and long-
term performance – wherever it is used.
Modern factory-applied surface treatments
can provide straightaway the natural
oxidisation and patination of copper surfaces
that develops over time in the external
environment to selected levels, and these
can be used internally as well as outside.
Essentially, they bring forward the
environmental changes without taking away
the integrity of copper as a natural, living
material and are not coatings or paint. Some
of the processes involved are very similar to
those taking place naturally outside and
utilise copper mineral compounds, not alien
chemical actions.
Living Material
These processes enable designers to
determine both the colour and intensity of
Nordic Brown pre-oxidised copper or Nordic
Green, Nordic Blue and Nordic Turquoise
patinas for each project from the start. As
well as a solid patina colour, other intensities
can be created revealing some of the dark
oxidised background material as ‘living’
surfaces.
Alloys of copper have also grown in
popularity. They include Nordic Bronze, an
alloy of copper and tin which gradually
changes to a dark chocolate brown when
used outside, and Nordic Brass, which can
also be supplied pre-weathered. An
innovative alloy of copper with aluminium
and zinc – Nordic Royal – enjoys a rich,
golden through-colour which remains very
stable, just developing a matt surface, but no
patination, over time.
Nordic Décor – an Added Dimension
Most recently, these copper surfaces and
alloys have been made available with the
Nordic Décor range of mechanically applied
surface treatments, adding an extra
dimension. These latest developments in
abraded and embossed surface treatments
are particularly suited to interior design,