Success for Laidlaw at the GAI Specification Awards 2008/09

Representatives from Laidlaw Solutions collected two awards at the 25th Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards for the 2008/09 period on the 30th March 2009, held at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Many entries were submitted for this years coveted prizes, and in order to sort the wheat from the chaff a team of assessors - drawn from respected architects and architectural ironmongers - inspected and assessed each building, adjudicating on the scheme's beauty, fitness for purpose, functionality, correct specification and originality, looking for excellence in ironmongery. The winning and commended projects were those which went beyond the ordinary to exceed expectations.

Our attendees shown above, from left to right, are Steve McAslin (Key Account Manager in Glasgow), John Isaacs (Key Account Manager in Bristol), Mike Brittain (Regional Director), Peter O'Brien (Commercial Director), Peter Moat (architect from Stone & Partners, Taunton), Karen Pickering (architect from Page & Park, Glasgow) and John Jefferies (Managing Director). Laidlaw won the Commercial Buildings category, and was highly commended for our Sustainable Buildings project.

Architect:  Stone & Partners                               Architectural Ironmonger:  Laidlaw Solutions Ltd - Bristol

Already a landmark by Junction 24 of the M5 motorway, the Robert Wiseman Dairies facility in Bridgwater process’s and packs almost 10% of the nation’s requirement for fresh milk and has an ultimate capacity of 500 million litres per annum. This facility sets new standards in minimising the use of energy, water, materials and food miles.

Laidlaw Solutions had the remit from Taunton based  Architects Stone and Partners to supply this £45million project with robust but aesthetically pleasing architectural ironmongery that had a minimum 10 year guarantee, Orbis Commercial was seen as the ideal product and was duly selected.

The 33,500m² distribution depot building also has a plastic bottle making facility. In addition, the 22 acre site contains an effluent treatment plant, biomass boiler and vehicle maintenance depot. This was a fast track project with a negotiated contract; ground was broken on-site in September 2006 with production commencing in December 2007.

Architect:  Page / Park Architects                         Architectural Ironmonger:  Laidlaw Solutions Ltd - Glasgow   
                                   
Designed by award winning scottish architects, Page / Park, and packed with a host of environmental features, this stunning building situated in the park sets new standards for sustainable development across the UK. Laidlaw Solutions were delighted to be given the opportunity by Page \ Park to provide this award winning building with their comprehensive and fully co-ordinated Orbis range of architectural ironmongery.


Amongst its many environmentally sustainable features, the ‘Carrochan’ as the building is known, has achieved the highest ‘excellent’ BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) rating. The building has an indigenous Douglas fir timber structural frame, and is heated by a biomass boiler system and solar gain, and is largely naturally ventilated with high levels of natural light. Insulation comes from the wool of 2500 sheep.

The expected carbon footprint of the building is 80 tonnes as compared to 200 for a conventional building and 140 for current best practice. The HQ is the largest building with a ‘green’ timber structure in the UK, and all the timber used was sourced from Scotland and the Borders.

Congratulations to all of our staff who worked hard to deliver a superb service. Below are a couple more photographs from the awards day itself. Click on them to see larger versions.