Author: aoife (Page 19 of 28)

Isabel’s Picks for January 2011

January 12, 2011 / aoife / 2 Comments

Isabel’s Picks for January 2011

BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES

New year, new ideas!

1. KITCHEN HOOD

Manufacturer: Falmec

Model: Mirabilia Moonlight

Price Range: €800-€1,200

Material: Scotch brite stainless steel and tempered glass

Available in Ireland from: www.in-house.ie

2. POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS

Manufacturer: HTC Floor Systems

Name: HTC SuperFloor TM Platinum

Price Range: n/a

Key Facts: Hard-wearing. Environmentally-friendly option. Can be coloured without losing its qualities. Slip-proof, even when the floor is wet. Highest fire-safety class. Easy-to-clean. There are four different grinding finishes from a matt surface finish to a high gloss finish.

Available in Ireland from: www.renobuild.ie

3. SOAP DISPENSER

Manufacturer: Franke

Price Range: €60

Materials: Brass body

Applications: Kitchen worktops. Bathroom vanity tops.

Available in Ireland from: Check out www.franke.ie here

4. CANDLE HOLDER

Manufacturer: IKEA

Model: HERRÄNG

Price Range: €9.99

Materials: Glass, Tinted clear lacquer

Features: Mouth blown; each candle holder is shaped by a skilled craftsman

Available in Ireland from: www.ikea.ie

5. SOLID SURFACE MATERIAL

Manufacturer: LG Hausys

Name: HI-MACS®

Price Range: n/a

Materials: Natural acrylic stone. The mineral material consists of approximately one third acrylic resin (polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA) and 5% natural pigments. Its main constituent, with 70%, is the natural mineral aluminium hydroxide (ATH) obtained from bauxite (aluminium ore).

Applications: Almost unlimited uses. Unlimited possibilities for individual design. The Solid Surface material is increasingly to be found in kitchens and bathrooms, as cladding, in public buildings, in the healthcare sector, in furniture design and in many other sectors.

Features: HI-MACS® has almost the same strength as stone. The Solid Surface material can be sawn, cut, drilled or planed using conventional carpenters‘ tools. Improved heat resistance. Improved impact strength. Enhanced scratch resistance. Better UV resistance. Improved thermoplastic mouldability. Homogeneous quality. Extensive range of sinks and bowls.

Available to Ireland from: http://www.pottercowan.com/

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What is an Opinion on Compliance?

January 11, 2011 / aoife / 3 Comments

Opinions on Compliance are required for all new build work and for any addition or extension work to an existing property.

Opinion on Compliance is an important legal document that certifies the building is in accordance with the planning permission granted and Building Regulations . They represent an essential element of conveyancing documentation and as such Architects adopt a significant liability in relation to the opinion they give.

RIAI members are advised to use the standard forms prepared by RIAI .

Since 1997 the Law Society has required that confirmation letters from consultants, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, etc. be attached to forms for Opinions on Compliance. RIAI members are advised to notify consultants, contractors, sub-contractors, and suppliers that they will be required to complete letters of confirmation. This notification should be given when consultants are appointed and in tender documentation and specifications. It is also recommended that tender conditions state that a final certificate will not be issued until such time as such confirmation is received.

What happens if the original Architect is not available?

There is no standard form for circumstances when an Architect is requested to sign an opinion on compliance for either planning permission or building regulations when they were not the architect for the building or development.

If the original Architect is still available, he or she is the appropriate person to sign the opinion.

If the original Architect is not available, either deceased or not contactable i.e. permanently residing abroad, an opinion on compliance for planning permission can be issued, if the planning permission file is available from the planning authority and confirmation is possible by comparison with the file and a visual inspection.

Confirmation with Building Regulations is not as simple, as the building or development has been constructed. Compliance with the Building Regulations could only be confirmed with confidence by opening up and the extent of opening up could be considerable, which in most cases is not viable. Compliance may possibly be confirmed where the original drawings are available for scrutiny and a comparison with the property or structure is possible. Compliance may also be possible for a simple structure.

Can the Architect, with confidence, confirm compliance with the Building Regulations ?

RIAI advises their members to exercise extreme caution and avoid offering opinions on Building Regulations when they were not the original Architect for the building or development.

Isabel’s Picks for December 2010

December 13, 2010 / aoife / 1 Comment

Isabel’s Picks for December 2010

ANGEL’S HEAVEN

A letter to Santa!

1. LIGHT PENDANT

Artist: Tom Raffield

Model: Pendant No. 1 in Walnut

Price Range: €350

Material: Steam bent strips of FSC Certified Walnut. Also available in Ash and Oak.

Features: Handmade, signed and dated

Available in Ireland from: Tom Raffield website

2. GREEN CEMENT

Manufacturer: Ecocem

Price Range: n/a

Materials: GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag) Cement

Features: It is entirely recycled and involves no mineral extraction. It releases 16 times less CO2 during its manufacture. Stronger. More durable. More resistant to attack from chloride. More impermeable. More resistant to sulphate attack. More resistant to alkali silica attack More resistant to fire. Less prone to thermal cracking. More resistant to acid.

Available in Ireland from: Check out http://www.lowcarbonconcrete.ie/suppliers_map.php

3. CHRISTMAS CANDLE

Model: Angelito

Price Range: €5.99

Materials: 100% paraffin wax.

Available in Ireland from: www.zarahome.com

4. LIGHTING CONTROL

Manufacturer: Legrand

Model: Arteor TM Radio/ZigBee®

Price Range: n/a

Applications: Ideal for refurbishment, small new installations and increasing the number of control points, without damaging walls. It can control lighting, roller blinds, technical alarms and also scenarios.

Available in Ireland from: www.voltimum.ie

5. BAMBOO FLOORING

Origin: China

Name: Rustic Solid Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

Price Range: €25-€40/m2

Applications: Flooring. This product can be used with Under Floor Heating.

Materials: 100% Moso Bamboo

Features: Strand woven (Very Very strong) Uni-Clic Patented design with a micro bevelled edge. Pre-finished Stained Semi Gloss with 6 coats of German lacquer, Inc UV protection. 25 year structural guarantee.

Available to Ireland from: www.bambooflooringcompany.com

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